We recently connected with Paul Klemperer and have shared our conversation below.
Paul, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I’ve always had a mix of exhibitionism and self-doubt. I’ve learned over the years to see them both as strengths, that balance each other. My parents gave me a lot of support and encouragement, but also a lot of criticism. I had a periods of instruction and guidance, and also periods with no guidance, crushing anxiety and loneliness. What got me through the confusing ups an downs was my curiosity, to see what came next, to see what I could do. I was a middle child. Through grade school I was a middling student, a middling athlete, often tagging along with kids more popular than me. I was not the last kid picked to be on a team, I was the second-to-last. This made me want to fit in and be accepted, but also made me empathetic to those kids who didn’t fit in.
In high school and college I played sports well enough to be part of a team. I wrote well enough to have some of my writings printed in academic literary magazines. I played well enough to be in bands and orchestras. These objective measures gave me confidence, but my self-esteem came into focus as that person who is comfortable being in the middle, able to relate to folks who don’t fit in.
Now I try to use my insecurities, imposter syndrome, the lingering little boy in my head, as a tool to aid my curiosity. When I encounter an obstacle I naturally have a jolt of anxiety, and part of me wants to avoid the new, the challenging, to stick with what is comfortable. But another part of me is curious, wants to investigate, and I try to feed that part of myself. Generally, this has made my life more fulfilling.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have been a professional musician for 40 years, working in various parts of the industry: touring musician, music teacher, bandleader, studio recording, composition, arranging. I’ve also published various articles on music. These experiences gave me a well-rounded perspective on the role of music and the arts in society. I firmly believe in the power of music and art as tools for building and strengthening community. My professional tagline is “Building community through music.” In 2022 I formed a nonprofit to advance this goal: CreativeSEA. It’s mission is “Social engagement through the arts.” Some of the projects include:
1) A monthly community jazz jam, that encourages multigenerational and multicultural participation.
2) Interactive Concerts for Creative Aging. These concerts started with performances in senior facilities, but have broadened to encourage intergenerational musical collaborations. The goal is to help various age groups tap into their creativity to feel connected to others.
3) I compose and perform a lot of original material, spanning various genres, particularly jazz, blues, R&B, pop and world music. I also write essays and fiction. For years I released these works commercially, but now I am experimenting with using them to build my own community network. I created a Patreon page where these things are available to all, with the request that folks become subscribers and supporters if they find my work meaningful. My page is at https://www.patreon.com/pksax.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Critical thinking skills. School gave me the basics, being able to read and write; using a dictionary, an encyclopedia and, by extension, being able to research a topic. My parents were scientists, and their example instilled a habit of asking questions, interrogating a subject, not being satisfied with vague answers. 2. Valuing your own experience. Book learning is important, but personal life experience helps you synthesize knowledge and apply it. I get great satisfaction from playing music and from writing stories and essays. I am a storyteller, and I use music and writing to tell stories. But I’m very aware that my ego is not the focus of the story; rather it is the way I tell the story, all the experiences and learning I have accumulated, that makes the story interesting for others.
3. Openness and respect for others. Basic respect and the willingness to listen helps cut across all the divides we encounter in society. Class, race, gender, age, these things can make you not pay attention to someone, to think they don’t matter in your life. If you cultivate openness to others, you can learn so much more about life than your own narrow experience. Of course, there are many irritating, unpleasant and ignorant people you will encounter, but don’t let them distract you from the ones who can teach you.
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?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with. My goal is to expand my community through artistic collaborations and creative projects. I work with a variety of musicians and artists to create multimedia shows. I also create and host workshops to help people work on specific artistic and creative goals, such as songwriting, jazz improvisation, creative writing. I work with professionals, amateurs and retirees. I’m seeking angel investors, but also people who want to volunteer their time, or who want to develop their career skills in the arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pksax.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulklemperermusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAUQr4NzZdp98pT08-gmGKQ
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/pksax
Image Credits
Kim Yarbrough
