Browsing Tag

music

How Musician Prince Charles Alexander Uses Creativity to Fuel His Career and Inspire Others

Posted on August 15, 2018

As a musician and funk artist, Prince Charles Alexander can light up a stage. But as a passionate teacher with a career filled with amazing successes, he can also light-up a classroom to inspire future music producers.

By continually following his passions and staying self-aware of what makes him happy, Alexander has filled his career with big leaps and challenges that have kept his love for music at the forefront of his livelihood. From front-man musician to Grammy-award winning producer and engineer to highly regarded professor, Alexander seems to have figured out how to stay both relevant and energized in

Men In The Arts

Jamming on Guitar Design with Bill Paukert In Our Men In Arts Series

Posted on August 6, 2018

“…Geometry is a cricital thing. I use it every single day in everything I do with guitars. It kind of forces me to think back to when I was in school and actually use all the formulas that we were learning.”

Meet this super cool NERD who started his design career in toy design and found his way back to his passion of music. Bill Paukert, of Unified Guitar Works, wasn’t the kid who knew what he wanted to be and didn’t even know about design as a child. It was through his studies at art college that … READ MORE

Men In The Arts

How Hinkle Ukulele Turned from a Passion Into A Successful Artisan Business

Posted on July 16, 2018

Raising Nerd’s Men In The Arts Revisits
The Art of Music with Musician and Ukulele Maker, Larry Hinkle

“I had no idea that I would be making ukuleles and playing today! It still seems a bit fantastical.”

When we did our Nerd Profile of Larry Hinkle, founder of Hinkle Ukulele, back in October 2016, we described him as “a musician, woodworking craftsman, and entrepreneur.” Larry’s broad expertise in music, woodcraft and design makes him a perfect fit for our Raising Nerd celebration of Men in the Arts! So, we went back to him to not … READ MORE

Importance of Play Men In The Arts

How Justin Roberts Celebrates the Wonder of Being A Kid … And Maybe Even A Monster

Posted on March 29, 2018

Justin Roberts
3-Time Grammy-Nominated Musician, Songwriter, Family Entertainer and Author

Justin Roberts’ music has been the soundtrack to my kids’ lives since before either of them could walk. When you’re a work-at-home-dad of toddlers, you quickly become acutely aware of how long the work day is and the need to fill it with fun, creative activities for the little ones – and for your own sanity.

So, to make our days at home more enjoyable, not long after RocketteGirl was born in 2007, I scoured iTunes and loaded our pre-Alexa iPod with music that would feed her childlike wonder, nurture … READ MORE

Science & Tech

10 Cool Science & Engineering Videos That Will Amaze Your Kids

Posted on December 18, 2017

Okay let’s be real. We all need a little down time and while it may be tempting to use television as the babysitter, here are some super cool, worthwhile science and engineering videos to watch with your kids and thought starters for how you can explore these concepts at home.

Candy Lab: I want candy!
No spoilers on this video … you’ll have to watch and see. Nerd exploration at home…try this technique with Play-Doh. Make colored rolls and wrapping them together using a thin flat piece. Continue to roll until the roll is as thin as you … READ MORE

Creativity Men In The Arts

Raising Nerd Profile: The Musical Craftsman

Posted on October 24, 2016

Larry Hinkle, founder of Hinkle Ukulele, is a musician, woodworking craftsman, and entrepreneur. And, as unconventional as it sounds, he is very much a creative Nerd. How else could you describe a former punk-rocker who now designs, builds and jams on ukuleles?

Son of a writer and a film producer (neither of which had any knack or desire for woodworking but encouraged his creativity), Larry has always been an artful tinkerer. As a kid he made comic books, played with LEGO, and indulged in science fiction novels. He’s also always followed his passion for creating music.

Of course, curiosity, … READ MORE