THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GARY TUBBS
BY JONASON ZHANG
Gary Tubbs is the secondary music teacher at
Shanghai Livingston American School (SLAS). He’s
originally from Louisiana and has pursued a career
as a professional musician. He has been teaching at
SLAS for 2 years. His hobbies are music,
photography, and extreme sports. He also has two
elder brothers with his father being his role model.
He is well-known for his funny jokes and amiable
personality at SLAS.
Jonason: How long do you plan to stay in
Shanghai? If you’re moving, where would you go
and why?
Gary: It’s really difficult to say at this point, I do like
it here, and could reasonably see myself staying, but
it’s too early to say for now. Let’s just say, I don’t have
plan to leave at the moment.
Jonason: What are your future plans?
Jonason Zhang: Why did you move to Shanghai?
Gary: Get rich and famous, obviously! Ha-ha!
Gary Tubbs: I actually came to Shanghai specifically
with the intent of teaching at SLAS. I had come to
China previously to perform in Chengdu, and I
honestly really liked the lifestyle. So when I heard
there was a position available to teach music in
China, I jumped at the opportunity.
Jonason: How do you like your job far?
Jonason: Why is your dad your role model?
Gary: While my dad was never a musician himself, he
was always incredibly supportive of my passion and
endeavors. He always encouraged us to do what it
was what we wanted, instead of pushing us to some
goal that he thought was right for us.
Gary: I definitely like interaction with my students, Jonason: Have you made any albums when you
especially those that are enthusiastic about carrying were in university? If so, what are they?
on their musical journey after their life at SLAS.
Gary: Sure, in 2009 my band released an instrumental
Jonason: Do you like teaching at SLAS or bring a album called “Absolute Zero.” That year, we were
professional musician? Why?
also signed to a record label; and soon, we released
our second album “Altered State” the following year.
Gary: I am currently in the rather fortunate position I was set to graduate from college in 2012, but I
of working both as a professional musician and as a pushed really hard and took a lot of extra hours.
teacher. I am still producing music and selling Therefore, I was able to graduate a year earlier. If I
internationally online.
had stayed, our third album “Horizons EP” would
have also been released while I was still enrolled in
Jonason: How long have you been a professional college.
musician?
.
Gary: It’s quite interesting. My first professional
performance was almost exactly 10 years ago. It was
on April 21, 2007.
Jonason: How is the performance lab band doing
this year?
Gary: I’ve found it rewarding to encourage my
students in the class to try other instruments, and
push the bounds of their own personal musical
knowledge.
Jonason: What is life like in Shanghai?
Gary: I’d say compared to the U.S., it’s very
comfortable. Transportation is really convenient,
and there are plenty of options in terms of lifestyle
entertainment.
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