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I’m a multi-instrumental musician and educator based in Shanghai, with formal training including an Associate of Guitar Performance from Musicians Institute and a BA in Music from Davidson College. I perform as a church musician, teach guitar and violin, and co-founded Waystar Shanghai Education to help Chinese students explore US music programs and connect with music events. I love building engaging learning experiences and collaborating across cultures to bring more music into communities. When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy arranging lessons and materials that empower students to grow creatively, while also supporting worship teams and community music initiatives. I value adaptability, ongoing learning, and friendly collaboration with fellow artists and educators.…I’m a multi-instrumental musician and educator based in Shanghai, with formal training including an Associate of Guitar Performance from Musicians Institute and a BA in Music from Davidson College. I perform as a church musician, teach guitar and violin, and co-founded Waystar Shanghai Education to help Chinese students explore US music programs and connect with music events. I love building engaging learning experiences and collaborating across cultures to bring more music into communities. When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy arranging lessons and materials that empower students to grow creatively, while also supporting worship teams and community music initiatives. I value adaptability, ongoing learning, and friendly collaboration with fellow artists and educators.

William Messner Guilin

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I’m a multi-instrumental musician and educator based in Shanghai, with formal training including an Associate of Guitar Performance from Musicians Institute and a BA in Music from Davidson College. I perform as a church musician, teach guitar and violin, and co-founded Waystar Shanghai Education to help Chinese students explore US music programs and connect with music events. I love building engaging learning experiences and collaborating across cultures to bring more music into communities. When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy arranging lessons and materials that empower students to grow creatively, while also supporting worship teams and community music initiatives. I value adaptability, ongoing learning, and friendly collaboration with fellow artists and educators.…I’m a multi-instrumental musician and educator based in Shanghai, with formal training including an Associate of Guitar Performance from Musicians Institute and a BA in Music from Davidson College. I perform as a church musician, teach guitar and violin, and co-founded Waystar Shanghai Education to help Chinese students explore US music programs and connect with music events. I love building engaging learning experiences and collaborating across cultures to bring more music into communities. When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy arranging lessons and materials that empower students to grow creatively, while also supporting worship teams and community music initiatives. I value adaptability, ongoing learning, and friendly collaboration with fellow artists and educators.

Available to hire

I’m a multi-instrumental musician and educator based in Shanghai, with formal training including an Associate of Guitar Performance from Musicians Institute and a BA in Music from Davidson College. I perform as a church musician, teach guitar and violin, and co-founded Waystar Shanghai Education to help Chinese students explore US music programs and connect with music events. I love building engaging learning experiences and collaborating across cultures to bring more music into communities.

When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy arranging lessons and materials that empower students to grow creatively, while also supporting worship teams and community music initiatives. I value adaptability, ongoing learning, and friendly collaboration with fellow artists and educators.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

Spanish; Castilian

Advanced

Chinese

Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance English Teacher at Self-Employed

August 1, 2024 - Present

Freelance English teaching in Shanghai and Guilin; prepares and executes lesson materials for four students in Guilin at a private institution; navigates living arrangements in Shanghai to manage two apartments consistently.

Co-Founder at Waystar Shanghai Education

August 1, 2024 - Present

Study abroad/agent company focused on connecting prospective Chinese students to US music schools, and connecting musicians to NAMM shows and other music events.

Church Musician (Guitar) at Calvary Baptist Church of Santa Monica

October 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024

Learn and prepare at least three songs for Sunday services and songs for rehearsals; improvise songs and solos during praise team songs and back up the pastor while preaching.

Contact Tracer at Staffing Solutions Organization

December 1, 2020 - August 1, 2021

Effectively conducted interviews with contacts (people exposed to COVID-19); confidential data used by local health departments to limit spread; adapted to unfamiliar technology (Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams).

Sales Associate at Staples

August 1, 2020 - November 28, 2020

Greeted and helped customers; processed donations and Rewards sign-ups; handled POS; maintained upbeat attitude and solved problems with a can-do approach.

Music Instructor (Private) at Mike Risko Music School

February 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020

Teach kids ages 5+ on guitar and violin; facilitate growth through varied practice methodologies and weekly assignments.

Winter Tour Crew at Davidson College

January 6, 2020 - January 11, 2020

Set up and tear down for concerts on tour stops from Davidson to New Orleans; communicated with instructor on the bus; drove a van to tour destinations and lodging areas.

Busser/Server at Dunkin' Donuts

June 1, 2019 - July 1, 2019

Bussed and served; managed daily side work; handled POS; communicated with management to execute tasks.

Camp Counselor at New Castle Parks and Recreation

June 1, 2014 - August 1, 2017

Cared for a group of 20 campers (1st–4th grade); worked with a team of counselors; created innovative interactive activities including games, music, and acting.

Freelance English Teaching at Self-Employed

August 1, 2024 - Present

Navigate foreign country to arrive at two different apartments in Shanghai consistently; Prepare and execute lesson materials to four students in Guilin in a private institution.

Private Music Instructor at Mike Risko Music School

February 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020

Teach kids ages 5+ on guitar and violin; facilitate growth through different practice methodologies and weekly assignments.

Winter Tour Work Crew at Davidson College

January 6, 2020 - January 11, 2020

Set up and tear down for concerts on tour stops; communicated with the instructor on the bus with students; drove a van to tour destinations and lodging.

Crew Member at Dunkin' Donuts

June 1, 2018 - August 31, 2018

Summers 2018: contributed to daily operations, customer service and food preparation during peak season.

Crew Member at Dunkin' Donuts

June 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017

Summers 2017: contributed to daily operations, customer service and food preparation during peak season.