We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. G. Preston Wilson, Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. G. Preston, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“What is for me will not miss me, and what misses me is not for me”

It is a reminder that everything happens in divine timing. As I am navigating my journey, anything I gain was destined to be mine. And if there are things that I may have wanted but did not obtain, they were not meant for me to have. This does not negate the necessity of hard work nor does it diminish feelings of disappoint, but it keeps me motivated to continue moving forward because there is an end goal where all things work together for my good.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There is no greater joy that one can receive than the moment one realizes that they are living in purpose, on purpose. I believe teaching is a gift and a calling, and I have been blessed to have teaching as my purpose. Ironically, my initial goal for undergrad was a performance degree: I wanted to be a background singer. And while I love the stage, I was not designed for that hustle. I switched my degree to music education and was introduced to a new way of not only curating joy for others but experiencing it myself.

When I began teaching public school, I was always so inspired by my students; not only because of their incredible talent but because of their heart. My students were no angels, but they were dedicated, generous, tenacious, and dependable. This was in part to the safe and inclusive environment created in my classroom and building relationships with the students (and even some of their families).After six years, I realized that every music teacher should be doing this, which lead me to obtaining my PhD in Music Education; I believed that I could make a bigger impact by teaching teachers how to do what I was doing. Now teaching at the collegiate level, I found yet another pocket of joy; interestingly enough, teaching K-12 has many similarities to college teaching. My students are still dedicated, generous, tenacious, and dependable, and my office and classrooms are safe and inclusive environments.

What I have learned through all of my teaching experiences is that I am able to do so with such ease and efficacy is because I love what I do. I know it is cliche’, but it is true. Teaching is truly labor but it is a labor of love. And what I want more people to embrace are the intrinsic benefits of what they do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here are my recommendations:

National Museum of African American Music, followed by Assembly Food Hall
Take a tour of Fisk University
Visit the Jefferson Street Sound Museum
Shop at Opry Mills, especially the Lego store
Tour the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry
Eat a Paula Deens
Game Terminal
Do a tour and tasting at Uncle Nearest Distillery
Eat at Fattoush Cafe
Uber to downtown on the weekend (and bring your walking shoes)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout three of my musical heroes: Mrs. Jane Bruer (Elementary Music Teacher), Mrs. Scott Hill (Middle and High School Music Teacher), and Dr. Paul Kwami (Former Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers). I am who I am today because of their contributions to me; I will forever be grateful for their ability to see into my future and pour into my potential. Mrs. Jane Bruer and Dr. Paul Kwami are no longer here and I wish they could see the fruits of their love labor.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsongwilsing?igsh=endzdHE2NXMxNXNt&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-preston-wilson-jr-phd-70857275

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preston.wilson.35/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/v7YhbdBdRPE?si=qSepcKvgF3gpgYHm

Image Credits
Von Reisch (ECHO Music Series)
Kevin Wurm
Fisk University
University of Missouri

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.