by Anna Brown, Voices Editor

Connection to spirit with a good balance of intellect, passion, and grace is tough to achieve, but that's exactly what local talent Bryan Rombalski says is the most important quality for a musician to have. Whatever it is, he's got it and is trying to teach to students.

A native of Saginaw, Rombalski is a guitar instructor at Mid Michigan Music Center, as well as an independent performer and member of the band "Three Worlds". He makes music an integral part of his life through his playing and teaching.

"I remember explaining key signatures to a band member and the sheer joy I felt in sharing that information. I knew then, early, that I would enjoy teaching music."

Rombalski's drive, combined with natural talent, led him to early success.

"I joined a rock band, Couture, right out of high school. We played with Cheap Trick, UFO and Lesley West from the band Mountain. But playing with greats like that was both humbling and inspiring. It made me want to practice."

And practice he did. After playing rock, Rombalski moved on to playing acoustic guitar, but never strayed far from the music community.

When asked to describe Rombalski, drummer and current band member Mike McHenry said he has no limitations and opens himself up through his music.

Rombalski's students also notice his talent and admire what he does.

"You can just tell, not by what he says or what he looks like, but how he plays, that he is passionate," junior and guitar student Connor Hanlon said. "Guitar isn't an instrument you just play, its something you feel. When I heard him play, I would think 'I wish I could play like him, he seems so into it.'"

Along with his own interest in musicians, Rombalski has noticed a trend in musical interests from this period amongst his teenage students.

"Young people just seem to love the exciting quality of music in its early stages," Rombalski said. "The corporate element today is not always representing what is an art form. People are turning back towards a sheer honesty, an honest sincere approach in music."

Rombalski encourages his students to express themselves in their own way.

"I remember once I brought in music I had written," Hanlon said. "He inspired me to keep writing with all the positive things he would say. He always reinforced how great it was to try new things with your music."

Rombalski's words for aspiring musicians reflect the passion that he himself has.

"Play it because you love it," Rombalski said. "Do it because you want to give something special and in return you'll receive something that's never-ending. It's a beautiful process. Try not to be ruled by other people's expectations. That'll torture you. Society will impose expectations. It's good to be prepared and to educate yourself and have a balance in life, but an expression of the spirit will not always be rewarded. The connection is the reward."