Hi, my name is Jason Braun. I am very privileged to be the new music teacher here at Baymonte. What can I say about my life? Simply this—each season of my life has been met by the grace of Jesus Christ, and my failures have been met by His faithfulness. My calling in music and teaching started in my early 20’s, just playing guitar on a park bench at U.C. Irvine. Some Christian students came over to talk and said that I could make music for God—sadly my response at the time was “no thanks”. However God was faithful, and He had a plan for me. I later attended Chico State, where I met my ultra-talented and lovely wife Ling, and I received a B.A. degree in classical guitar with courses in Music Education. After finishing my M.M. degree at San Diego State, Ling and I moved to Boston. There I completed my teaching credential and began teaching violin and guitar classes in the Boston Public Schools. At the time, we lived in an old apartment directly across from a church. One day I crossed the street to ask for a Bible to read, and I was given one, along with the encouragement “the grace of God is calling you”. In 2005 our amazing daughter Jocylin was born, and I received full time work back in California, as a band and orchestra director with the Redwood City School District. Through a wonderful young student named Jonathan and his loving parents, I was invited for home meals and fellowship, and as the Gospel was shared with me, I gave my life to Christ. Shortly after, I began singing and playing guitar and cello at Shoreline Community Church in Mountain View, and began a 9 year stay with the Portola Valley School District, where I taught band, string orchestra, and guitar classes. Then, in 2009, along came Lydia the fearless one, our second daughter. In 2013, while still with Portola Valley, I also began teaching on an hourly basis at Sunnyvale Christian School, offering lessons in what would become K-5 classes in recorder and guitar. This was especially rewarding because SCS is a ministry partner of our family’s home church—Crosswalk Community Church. Finally, after this past year with the Hollister School District (and a 600 mile per week commute) I am thrilled to be at Baymonte, and to give my best to Christ, to students, and their families.
So, in closing, I love sharing music with kids, and to be allowed to do this while also serving the Lord is such a good, good gift.
“He gave you love now, so love your brother
He gave you a bell, so let it ring
He gave you a song; better keep on singing
For you’ll be known by the songs that you sing
He gave you a fire; keep on burning
He gave you a light; better let it shine
He gave you a prayer wheel; just keep on turning
And I believe we’ll be together, hallelujah,
When we reach the other side”.
Johnny Cash, “Over There”.