Meet Tim Kobza

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tim Kobza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tim below.

Tim, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome can rear its head from time to time. I think that anyone who’s passionate about their art, craft, profession or anything they have spent a lot of time developing skills in has dealt with this at some point. The feeling that we are not good enough or worthy despite evidence to the contrary.

For me, as a guitarist and educator, I’ve put in time on the details and continue to do so. This gives me confidence in my abilities. I can be my authentic self as a musician and professor; treating people around me with respect, surrendering ego, taking criticism if needed and serving the musical setting.

In my work I’m surrounded by very accomplished musicians and colleagues. It is easy to start comparing smarts and resumes. It’s easy to think, “I’m not doing enough” compared to so and so. It’s important to teach what you know and to keep learning, and to be open. I want my students to feel a genuine sense that I care about them and their success out in the world. The result speaks for itself, the Imposter exits stage left.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a Los Angeles-based guitarist, recording artist, and music producer dividing my time between composing, producing, performing, and teaching. My style ranges from rock, jazz, funk, blues, and R&B to electronic sound design. My music can be heard on TV, film and popular records ranging in style from pop and rock to jazz fusion. I received a Master of Music degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance from USC. I am honored to lend my talents and experience as a professor in the Studio Guitar and Popular Music Degree programs at the USC Thornton School of Music where I have taught for the past 25 years.
Recently I’ve been working on developing my skills as a film composer with my writing partner Josh Ginsburg, you can find us and examples of our work at Composerguys.com

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 areas that have impacted my journey the most are passion, hard work and exercising creativity. When you find something you are deeply passionate about, work hard to learn it, inside and out, the techniques, fundamentals, and historic context. And then, if this a professional pursuit, find your audience or market and creative ways to monetize your skills. Maintaining artistic integrity and being commercially successful are not mutually exclusive goals.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
In many of my classes successful collaborations between students is the desired outcome. In addition to my USC courses, I co-direct 2 international programs where students from different countries and cultures come together to write, produce, and record their final original compositions.

In my professional project world, I’m also looking to connect with individuals and companies looking for custom music for TV and Film, directors seeking a collaborative composer, those looking for a guitarist for a gig or recording session. These are opportunities to work together to achieve musical goals.

I look to partner with musicians, singers, song writers that have similar musical interests and complimentary skill sets to mine. I can connect them with former students who may be a good fit for a project. Working on film scores with Josh Ginsburg has been a team effort. He has a real command of orchestral arranging and programing and I’m coming more from the pop, jazz, world music background.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Abbey Road Studios London East West Studios Hollywood Robin Stark

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