Nashville musician inspires students at Newman Jet Days

Aug 27, 2015

Some students come to college with confidence.

Others are a little more reserved and cautious.

ALL need at least a little help getting acclimated to their new surroundings and the new challenges of university life. That was exactly the goal of Jet Days 15, Newman University’s orientation weekend.

Nashville musician Jason Levasseur did his part. The international touring professional used story and song to encourage students to take ownership of their college experience. He told the newcomers and their parents that they are “rock stars” and explained how five lessons he learned while on the road apply to their lives as college students, especially in their first year.

“First, you’re the driver of your tour bus. You’re responsible for the choices that you make and the directions that you go,” Levasseur said, “Second, you’re going to find an instrument or you have already picked an instrument and you’re going to have to work really hard to get good at.”

He continued his musically themed message by saying that each student would find a band or be in a band and will become a valuable member. Levasseur added that each student would encounter speed bumps on “their tour” and they will need to overcome problems or issues.

“Number five, you’re going to create rock star moments for yourself on this campus,” Levasseur added.

The students in attendance responded to Levasseur’s message. “He did a great job. He played songs but he really interacted and talked with us,” freshman Amy Emerson said.

To watch a sample of Jason Levasseur’s Jet Days talk and performance at Performance Hall in the De Mattias Fine Arts Center, click on the video below.

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