Student of the Month: February 2026 Edition
February is a month to appreciate all the things and people we love in our lives. This month, we are celebrating a Student of the Month who loves all aspects of learning and playing guitar. Read on!
JD Jonkman
JD is a guitar student of many talents. When he is not shredding songs like “Feel Good, Inc”. by Gorillaz, you can find him skateboarding in his neighborhood, getting creative with paint markers, or even cooking Asian food.
When it comes to practicing guitar, JD loves how it helps him to get away from the outside world. Learning guitar has helped him to reduce stress and even to sleep better! For JD, music is a space where you don’t have to think, and you have permission to insert your feelings into what you are doing. He also loves that it is creative - it doesn’t HAVE to sound good. It can be anything you want it to be.
Ken Broyles, JD’s guitar instructor, enjoys his lessons with JD due to their mutual interest in music theory. Says Ken: “I can teach music theory concepts, and instead of seeing it as dry and sterile, he immediately looks for musical applications and starts linking it to his other accumulated knowledge. He genuinely cares whether or not he understands something, and will ask well-formed questions until his curiosity is satisfied.”
When asked how he would describe Rock 101, JD responded, “chill, thoughtful, and kind.” Right back at ya, JD!
