Jay Harootunian
About
Bio:
Jay Harootunian is a nationally touring artist with the Americana roots band Mojo Birds. His teaching background includes Adjunct Professor of Guitar at San Juan College, band coaching, artist development, and Songwriting Studio Online. He is also the founder of the Durango Sound Project and serves as the Vermont State Coordinator for Music Link. Jay has studied under artists including Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers), Eric Krasno (Soulive/Lettuce), Jim Oblon (Paul Simon), and Guilherme Monteiro (Forro In The Dark). His debut album was produced by Jano Rix (The Wood Brothers). Jay holds music degrees from Berklee College of Music and Fort Lewis College.
Teaching Style
Jay’s teaching style is practical, encouraging, and performance-based—built around real-world musicianship, not busywork. He tailors each lesson to the student’s goals, then breaks big concepts into clear, usable steps so progress is measurable week to week. Lessons emphasize feel and groove, ear-to-hand connection, strong fundamentals, and confidence, with plenty of real applications (songs, improvisation, songwriting, and live performance prep).
Curriculum
(GUITAR) TrueFire - Supplemental online video instruction for Guitar
(VOCALS) Singing For The Stars (Seth Riggs)
(SONGWRITING)How To Write One Song- Jeff Tweedy & Songwriters On Songwriting- Paul Zollo
(Music Theory) The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists: Second Edition
Credentials & Affiliations
-
M.M. in Songwriting — Berklee College of Music
-
B.A. in Music Education — Fort Lewis College
-
B.S. in Exercise Physiology — East Carolina University
-
Adjunct Professor of Guitar — San Juan College
-
Founder — Durango Sound Project
-
Vermont State Coordinator — Music Link
-
Nationally Touring Artist / Bandleader — Mojo Birds
-
Teaching Focus — Band Coaching, Artist Development, Songwriting Studio Online (Guitar/Voice/Lyric Writing)