Meet Jake Courlang ‘14, who has taken his passion for music and turned it into an amazing career. He came back to visit recently and shared his experiences with us and how his passion for music took root at ASH.

 

I am currently living in Los Angeles, California, working as a full-time musician and music educator. I am the musical director and touring bass player for “Save Ferris,” a renowned Orange County-based ska-punk band popularized by their appearance and musical contributions to the hit movie “Ten Things I Hate About You” and their rendition of the popular Dexy Midnight Runners hit, “Come On Eileen.”

 

Additionally, I work as a background musician supporting contestants on the show “America’s Got Talent,” where I have worked for eight seasons. And if that doesn’t make me seem busy enough, I’m also the Instrumental Coordinator and music teacher at Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Loretto High School, where I teach ensemble and music production.

 

I was one of the very few ASH students who completed their entire education at the school. I came to ASH in kindergarten with Ann Pleij as my teacher and graduated with the Class of 2014. My father worked for IKEA, which brought my family to the Netherlands and kept us there for nearly eighteen years. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up and go to school. Wassenaar and Den Haag were fantastic towns for kids and teenagers to safely bike around and socialize with their friends and family outside of school.

 

Being an international school, ASH exposed me to a vast array of cultures and perspectives. It taught me that, no matter how “different” people may seem, we’re all very much the same. Having moved and traveled a lot after school, this understanding really helped me when meeting new people and forming new relationships, whether personal or professional, in a new place.

 

I owe a lot to the amazing faculty at ASH, Mr. Yarnell in particular, who helped and encouraged me to grow, not only as a musician, but also as a young person. I was often challenged, but also guided throughout my academic journey, after-school activities, and clubs. ASH provided me with numerous leadership opportunities that built the foundation for the skills I bring to my professional career today.

 

In terms of memorable moments, there are too many to count. Being a part of the Jesus Christ Superstar production was truly special and is a memory I hold dearly. Additionally, being able to travel to Disneyland Paris every year with the Concert Band and playing music in countries like India, Malaysia, and Switzerland through the AMIS Honor Jazz Band, these are experiences that amaze my current peers when I share them, as most people from other schools never had opportunities like those.

 

In my experience, ASH was a school with endless opportunities and activities to get involved in. I was fortunate to discover my interest and love for music at a young age, and my teachers, family, and friends immediately encouraged me to pursue and explore it further.

 

The ASH Arts department was vast and inviting, helping me find my passion and my path after ASH. Furthermore, the arts department prepared me for college. When I enrolled at Berklee College of Music, I was able to skip most freshman classes because of the knowledge and skills I gained through the ASH music department beforehand.

 

I might sound like a broken record when I say all this, but it’s true. All of my teachers took the time to get to know who I was and what my goals were, and they wholeheartedly supported me in reaching them. I remember once having to skip a math class my senior year because I was invited to play bass for the 7th-grade choir’s upcoming performance. They met during my math period, and when I asked my teacher for permission to miss that specific class, he replied, “Jake, I’m not going to stop you from doing what you do best and love the most. Come in during lunch to catch up on what you missed.” Though a small gesture, it meant a lot that my teachers, even outside the music department, were supportive and encouraged me to pursue my passions.