Guitar Studies Director:
Jarod Sanchez - Composer & Arranger, Guitarist, Educator
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The Sky Pointe Guitar Studies program takes pride in its community outreach efforts throughout the city. This year, the program was honored to participate in the City of Las Vegas Book Festival, where selected students gave performances and demonstrations from Guitar Studies Vol. I, authored by Mr. Jarod Sanchez. The book is now officially part of the program’s curriculum, further enriching student learning.
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Sky Pointe also became one of the first charter schools to participate in the CCSD Guitar Festival, hosted at Las Vegas Academy. The students earned their first “Excellent” rating—a significant milestone for the program.
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Additionally, student leaders and Mr. Sanchez host the monthly Sky Pointe Guitar Open Mic Showcase at Grouchy John’s Coffee Shop on the first Friday of each month, providing students with opportunities to perform in a supportive, real-world setting.
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The program is committed to helping students develop the musicianship and professionalism needed for gigging opportunities. This year, two students (Donovyn Legaspi & Ethan Perry) secured professional performance gigs with organizations such as Chick-fil-A, the City of Las Vegas, and private weddings.
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Another milestone this year was the program’s inaugural participation in the Guitar All-State Ensemble. The top 25 high school guitarists auditioned for this prestigious ensemble, which performed under the direction of world-renowned guest musician Mr. Darin Au. Congratulations to sophomore Jayden Machicado.
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As we look ahead, Sky Pointe Guitar Studies is excited to continue expanding its community outreach, inspiring young musicians, and passing on the torch of guitar excellence.
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About the teacher
Jarod Sanchez (Jarod / Mr. Sanchez) is Las Vegas a professional musician and dedicated music educator with a focus on guitar studies, composing, and arranging. He has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Composition from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a minor in Studio Recording Technology, an Associate of Arts with Music Emphasis, and a Certification for Studio Recording Technology and Business from the College of Southern Nevada.
Jarod is currently the director of Guitar Studies at Somerset Academy Skypointe, also teaching music theory and running the guitar-based clubs at the school. Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, Jarod’s students perform an open-mic style show at Grouchy John’s (6720 Sky Pointe Dr Ste B). His most recent accomplishment is publishing his first original book “Guitar Studies Vol. 1: Exercises for Sightreading in 1st-10th Position.”
Jarod is also the owner and operator of Hammsterden Records, a Las Vegas indie recording studio, creative space, and music label. At Hammsterden he produces music for a variety of artists - from indie musicians to rappers. He and his brother make up the band Sanalba, and he also performs in local bands such as Take the Skies, A Valleys, and more. Over the years, Jarod Sanchez has collaborated with various renowned musicians and has performed at prestigious venues and festivals across the country. His live performances are known for their energy, passion, and mesmerizing guitar solos that leave audiences in awe. His musical work has been featured in films such as “Everything Good” (2023) and “Lost In Sound” (2023). He is drawn to various genres such as rock, blues, jazz, R&B, and classical guitar. This diverse range of influences can be heard in his music, which combines elements from different styles to create a unique and captivating sound.
Some of his previous work includes composing for the Las Vegas Discovery Children’s Museum’s puppet show in 2020 and 2021. He also worked as the sound engineer for the documentary film “The Wood That Sings” about the creation and production process of making the marimba pit instrument, as well as its origins for UNLV. He was a featured guitarist in “The Wedding Singer” production with Super Summer Theater. He composed for the City of Las Vegas Cultural Affairs touring show in 2018, as well as proudly worked as the Musical Director for the touring show. Jarod also has many years of experience teaching private lessons for emerging guitar students at various music shops and schools, including the Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs, having his collective of consistent and returning students that he taught. Jarod Sanchez's musical journey is characterized by constant growth, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His passion for music and determination to push boundaries continue to shape his artistic expression, making him a unique and celebrated musician in the industry.
Joseph Jarod Sanchez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to a very musically inclined family - with his parents both being avid music lovers and his father being a professional touring musician. From a young age, his passion for music was incomparable. He is proudly Latino / Hispanic and loves to share and celebrate his culture through art. He met his wife through music and together they get to live in a world of music. Outside of music, Jarod is a big fan of fitness - having been a former wrestling and track athlete - you can normally find him on a jog.