EDUCATION
Roy McGrath’s teaching reflects a commitment to mentorship, cultural exchange, and music as both personal language and collective art. Rooted in his Puerto Rican heritage and shaped by Chicago’s jazz community, his work integrates improvisation, rhythm, and identity to inspire creativity and connection.
Philosophy
Across classrooms and residencies, McGrath teaches music as cultural connection. Listening, collaboration, and improvisation form the foundation of his approach, guiding students to find their voice, connect to heritage, and use music as a bridge between cultures.
Community and Early Teaching (2010–2016)
From 2010 to 2016, McGrath served as Woodwind and Brasswind Instructor at Flatts & Sharpe Music Academy, teaching saxophone, flute, clarinet, and brass, as well as improvisation, theory, and ensemble performance.
During this period, he co-directed the Hatch Elementary Steel Band in Oak Park with steel pan musicians Scott McConnell and Evan Jacobson, introducing students to Caribbean rhythmic traditions, group performance, and collaborative listening.
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center’s Youth Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble (2016–2018)
From 2016 to 2018, McGrath co-founded and directed the Youth Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble through After School Matters and the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center.
After School Matters, established in 1991 at Gallery 37, provides over 24,000 paid arts, leadership, and STEM programs for Chicago teens each year. Within this framework, McGrath trained high-school musicians in jazz improvisation and Afro-Caribbean rhythm, connecting cultural heritage with modern ensemble practice. Students composed and performed original works blending Bomba, Plena, and jazz.
Dulwich International Residencies (2016–2025)
Since 2016, McGrath has been a Teaching Artist and Ensemble Leader for the Diversity Arts Series — a unique performing-arts program of Education in Motion, a group of international schools including Dulwich College International, Dulwich International High School Programmes, and Dehong International Chinese Schools. The network has campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Seoul (South Korea), Singapore, and soon opening in Bangkok, offering bilingual and international curricula through the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level, and IB Diploma.
Through these immersive artist-in-residence programmes, McGrath led five educational and performance tours across Asia combining residencies, ensemble coaching, and public concerts. His workshops focus on improvisation, rhythm, and composition, showing students how music expresses identity and collaboration.
Residencies feature sectional rehearsals, guided listening, and performances where students play alongside McGrath’s ensemble. During Dulwich’s Diversity Arts Series, his quartet’s week-long residencies culminate in concerts that turn school theaters into jazz venues. Many participants later pursue university studies in music and the arts.
McGrath also contributes to curriculum planning and faculty collaboration across the schools, helping integrate improvisation and cultural history into classroom study.
“Talking with Roy during the workshop helped me a lot, especially with approaches I can take when learning a song and trying to improvise over it. Recording one of my compositions with Roy’s band and receiving constant feedback really developed my skills as a composer.”
Student, Dulwich College Suzhou
REACH Grant / Art In Motion Chicago (2021–2025)
From 2021 to 2025, McGrath served as a Teaching Artist for REACH, an $8.5 million U.S. Department of Education initiative to expand access to arts education nationwide. The program was implemented at Art In Motion, Chicago’s South Side creative arts school, which offers a student-centered, arts-infused curriculum focused on creativity, personal agency, and academic growth.
At Art In Motion, McGrath contributed to arts integration and professional development initiatives emphasizing inclusive pedagogy, creative leadership, and curriculum design for diverse learners.
Community Workshops and Mentorship (Ongoing)
McGrath continues to lead workshops and residencies throughout Chicago, collaborating with cultural organizations and city programs to make jazz and Afro-Caribbean music accessible to wider audiences. He also mentors emerging educators in curriculum development and ensemble instruction.
Over more than a decade of teaching, McGrath’s programs have helped students gain entry to university music programs and professional ensembles. He continues to develop curricula that integrate Afro-Caribbean rhythmic concepts with contemporary jazz pedagogy and performance practice. His education work parallels his creative projects such as Menjunje and De Lejos, extending the same cross-cultural dialogue into the classroom.