How John Boulay Turned His Love Of Music Into A Career Worth Pursuing
One of John Boulay’s earliest memories is strumming his father’s guitar as it sat on the stand and enjoying the sounds it created. This set him down a path that he’s been following his entire life.
John was born in Belledune, and started playing the guitar at 10 years old, started taking it more seriously at 12, and by 16, he was playing in bars. After high school, John went to school for engineering before realizing it wasn’t for him and followed music instead.
“I did my bachelors in performance at the University of Moncton and then I went to Paris, France to do my masters,” says John.
After this, John returned to Moncton to teach at the university. His second year back, he got a job teaching out of a music school called La Guitare.
From there, he received a call to teach bass and guitar at a cultural center in Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
“It was a mix of French and Newfoundland culture, which is a very interesting mix. People were so welcoming and warm to me and I played in five different bands while I was there.”
Since 2005, John has had his own music school in North Tetagouche, where he teaches a variety of different instruments including guitar, bass, drums, piano, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, voice. In 2007, John won the young entrepreneur of the year award from the CBDC.
John realized back in university that his passion was to teach, and some of his students have even taken the journey to make a living from music, which is something that he’s very proud of. He says that you can do it, but you always need to be out there grinding.
“Sometimes you need to go out and make it yourself. Like doing workshops in schools. I did presentations on the history of blues music, tours of different schools doing francophone music. Currently, I have two projects on the go, the history of the blues and the school in Allardville wants me to do ukulele workshops.”
John is happy to be back in the Chaleur region and mentions the immense amount of local talent that we have right here in our backyard.
“Just look at the Chaleur region. I mean, I could have a playlist on my phone for hours and hours of just local music.”
He gives shout outs to the Calnan’s, Matilda Ride, and The Rainbow’s Edge, among many others.
John wants to emphasize the significant effort put into planning and performing a show, and argues that every band should be paid for what they are worth. He mentions that they’re their own sound people, roadies. They set-up, play, tear down and travel to wherever they need to go.
If you want to learn more, and reach out to John about lessons, you can find all of his information here: https://www.facebook.com/johnboulaymusic
We want to thank John for everything he does for the community, and for being a guest on the Northern Heat Report. The place you come to listen to the stories that have not yet been discovered.