Meet Jack Perry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Perry.

Jack, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was an actor/musician for 13 years in New York City when my husband and I decided to move to Los Angeles three years ago. We are both committed actors and artists, and thought if we’re going to struggle leading these feast & famine “artistic lives,” why not experience it in some sun? In New York, I worked a lot as a bartender and picked up the same kind of service gigs when I first moved to LA. It’s true when they say that the restaurant world offers the best flexibility you can find when auditioning. And if you’re lucky, you’re surrounded by other actors/artists/musicians who encourage you every day to gig harder, to take classes, to continue with the journey of being an artist. In addition to being an actor, I’m a piano teacher to over a dozen students ranging in ages from 6 to 60. I also made my first film a couple of years ago and am currently working on a small documentary about what it means to be a tall woman. I am proud to be a multi-hyphenate, which I think makes me an official Angeleno.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had some personal issues with ‘Image’ in terms of what an actor is and does. I’m 6’5” with salt and pepper hair and kind of a babyface. Casting didn’t know what to do with me. When I was 22 and fresh out of college, I paid to audition in front of an agent, it’s called “Pay for Play” in the industry. I performed a monologue and after some polite chat, he said,” You want the truth?” I said I did. “Guys like you, you don’t work until you’re in your 30’s.” I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but he was right, I didn’t start to book real work until I turned 30, commercials and some co-stars. A few years later I auditioned for a well-known casting director who said, “You know Jack, you’re good. But guys like you don’t really work until you’re in your 40’s.” Face plant, right? As it happens, I turned 40 last week. Last week I also auditioned for a recurring role in a new pilot, one of my biggest auditions yet. So, maybe he’s right? Doesn’t matter. I love acting. I love the connection that comes with it, whether it be with your scene partner or the audience watching. I’m thrilled for this new decade to begin. Bring on the FORTIES!

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Late last year I decided to take a break from slinging drinks and I started a traveling piano teacher business, which has been amazing. I have almost 15 students, a mix of adults and kids. I’ve been playing the piano for almost 30 years now. I’m classically trained and have written original music for films. I loved my piano teacher when I was young but my approach is a bit different. I believe that ear training is essential to a student’s progress on the piano. We are living in the age of distraction, and learning scales can be tedious for people, especially kids. So, all my students play songs that they want to learn, and for some, we pick them up by ear. We listen to the music, we try and figure out what that would sound like on the piano, and then we play. Chord knowledge and progressions are integral to this kind of learning and my students love it. My goal is to provide people with an incredibly approachable way to learn to play the piano.

I’m proud of myself for trying a new approach to teaching piano and for starting my business as an instructor, while also remaining committed to acting. It’s a lot to juggle, but I love it.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Taking a leap and starting my piano teaching business. I had reached a comfortable kind of stasis and needed a change, not only professionally, but personally & creatively as well. I was incredibly nervous and afraid to build something of my own from the ground up. But I did it and couldn’t be happier.

Contact Info:

• Website: jackperrypiano.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @jacksplantsandpianos

Image Credit:
Leah Huebner, David Crabb, Jack Perry

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.