Jamey Buencamino Strikes a Chord
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Jamey Buencamino is a classic guitarist. (Photo courtesy of Jamey Buencamino)
“It’s up to the musician to create a unique personal sound,” Buencamino says. Along with teaching, he has lived a life filled performances in both classical and rock guitar. He lives and breathes guitar; it’s a life journey that began when a Filipino met a woman from Kansas.
His parents, Ernesto and Madeline (nee Mohr) Buencamino, have lived in Wisconsin for over 40 years. They raised two other sons, Cenon and Matt, who also live in Wisconsin. One of Buencamino’s favorite memories of growing up is playing sports because he loved being part of a team. He enjoyed soccer, skating and ice hockey, which was his favorite. He and his family also enjoyed a good deal of traveling. “We traveled throughout the U.S. and went to other countries, like China, Egypt and the Philippines, to name a few. Many memories and stories were created on these travels.”
In music, his favorite memory is playing guitar in rock bands in high school. “It was an excellent experience, and I had fun creating original music with other musicians,” he elaborates. From a young age, Buencamino has been immersed in the world of music. He started piano lessons when he was 7. This lasted until he was 13 when he became more interested in the guitar. He became enamored with the instrument, taking private guitar lessons from 13 until he was 18 before attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston for three semesters after high school. He eventually earned his undergraduate degree in music, concentrating in classical guitar performance, from the UW-Parkside in Kenosha Wisconsin. Also, he received a master’s degree in music with a concentration in classical-guitar performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He credits his educational experiences, as well as the countless performances he was part of, with molding the guitarist he is today.
Jamey Buencamino is also a rock guitarist. (Photo courtesy of Jamey Buencamino)
Buencamino considers his time at UW-Parkside as a turning point in his career. After playing rock throughout high school, his guitar instructor, George Lindquist, introduced him to the classical-guitar style. He not only taught Buencamino classical-guitar techniques, but also how to interpret the repertoire. “The classical-guitar style greatly interested me in time. He was a great inspiration to me,” Buencamino reminisces. “At the same time, I began playing numerous rock gigs throughout the state of Wisconsin, which was a valuable experience that impacted my rock-guitar playing.”
He is also grateful to Terry Peterson, who was his guitar instructor in his teenage years. Patterson was the one who helped kick start Buencamino’s musical career by teaching him music theory and rock-guitar techniques
Buencamino credits Anne Waller, who was his classical-guitar professor at Northwestern University, with helping him improve his classical-guitar techniques and encouraging him to excel. Also, she taught him the history of the guitar and shared strategies in guitar instruction.
Today, Buencamino primarily performs classical guitar. However, he has occasional rock guitar gigs and still writes and records music in that style. He teaches all ages and levels from beginners to advanced students at the Kenosha Conservatory of Music. Also, he teaches classical guitar at the UW-Parkside.
Teaching indeed is the noblest profession. He has heard from past guitar students about how his lessons have impacted their musical achievements and/or adult lives. “Hearing feedback like that,” Buencamino remarks, “really makes me proud and that I made a difference in peoples’ lives.”
Buencamino offers a few words of advice for future guitarists. The biggest lesson he has learned is to keep an open mind and always accept constructive criticism whether you agree or disagree. “There are times when I disagreed with a person’s criticism,” he observes, “but months or even years later, I started to see their perspectives and consequently agreed with them.” Buencamino also talks about the importance of practicing, working hard, being patient, having fun and being creative.
Jamey Buencamino has always taught his son, Tristan, how to play the guitar. (Photo courtesy of Jamey Buencamino)
Filipinos are renowned worldwide for being great musicians. Jamey Buencamino is a living example of musical excellence, and he has used the guitar to touch the lives of his students, audiences and other musicians. “I get to express a more formal and intimate side of me performing the classical-guitar style and the aggressive and energetic side of playing the rock-guitar style.” Keep on strumming!
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Christian Pareja
Christian Gabriel Pareja writes from Glenview, Illinois, where he was the Youth of the Year in 2017. A Butler University student, he is proud of his Philippine heritage and enjoys community work.
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