Meet 2025 Teacher of the Year for Banjo Chris Roszell

We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Banjo, Chris Roszell, to share insights into his journey as a musician and educator. In this Q&A, Chris reflects on what drew him to the banjo and its expanding role across musical styles, shares his philosophy of building strong, well-rounded musicianship alongside technical banjo skills, and discusses the simple gear and practice tools he recommends. He also talks about his focus on preparing students to play music with others, celebrates their progress in jamming and collaboration, and offers perspective shaped by a love of music-making and community.

What drew you to learning the banjo?

The banjo is a fun, quirky instrument that can make a lot of really cool sounds. Sure, it's best known as that happy, feel-good instrument in bluegrass and folk music. But it's also starting to find its footing with a wider range of contexts from classical to pop to jazz.

If you could gift your students one piece of automatic knowledge or ability about the banjo, what would it be? 

Believe it or not, the banjo is a musical instrument. Sure, you can learn it by rote - memorizing tab after tab. But, you'll get much more satisfaction (and get much better) if you build more general musical skills alongside those banjo skills: Listen to the pros play the music you're learning. Use and improve your ear. Work on your rhythm. Learn to sing the melodies you're playing.

What are some gear items that you wish all your students had?  

Nothing fancy needed for gear: a banjo, a strap, a capo, a tuner.

Are there apps / texts / other resources you often recommend?

There are some useful apps out there, but I find myself recommending to all of my students: Youtube, Strum Machine, a metronome, Singscope/Vocal Pitch Monitor.

Anything you'd like to share about yours or your students’ accomplishments from 2025? Do you have guidance for goal-setting for banjo students, or generally?

My main goal is to prepare my students to play music with others. In 2025, MOST of my students achieved this goal in some capacity. And most of those are now jamming regularly with others.

If you are interested in learning more about Chris or would like to book a lesson with him, please visit his Lessonface profile here. 

Also, be sure to check out all of Lessonface’s 2025 Teachers of the Year here!