One local man has not only lived out his musical dreams, he is inspiring others to live out their dreams as well.

Scott Paul Graham, 39, has lived in Folsom for 20 years and has built his music career locally.

“Music is everything in my life, in every aspect,” Graham said.

Graham has run the Graham Music Pros School of Music at 703 Bidwell St. in Folsom for six years. There he teaches students of all ages the fundamentals of music theory and performance.

Graham’s interest in music began at an early age. He said he started playing the piano with his mother, a teacher and composer, then began playing the guitar soon after.

At 16 he started teaching guitar lessons. He later studied classical guitar at Sacramento State University.

“I had studied the guitar in all different styles, so at that point I knew a lot,” Graham said. “Originally I wanted to teach at the college level, but later decided to run my own music school.”

While Graham said he never committed to a single band to perform in, he can play most instruments including the guitar, most string instruments, piano, drums and vocals. He can be found however, as a filler musician in local bands as needed.

His musical career and skills have also been noticed by others. He is endorsed by Kremona Orpheus Valley Guitars and Clayton Guitar picks.

He said instead of performing full-time in one band, he prefers teaching.

In preparation to running his own music school, he taught guitar at Nicholson’s Music in Folsom for 10 years.

Now, at his own school, he offers music students a variety of music help including guitar and drum lessons.

In the past two years, he also started two programs geared to helping student musicians start and perform in music groups.

The “Rock Performance Program” (RPP) teaches students ages 10 to 18 and the “Rock Performance Program Extra Large” (RPPXL) works with adult students.

Folsom High School freshman Madi Winters, 14, started vocal lessons with Graham three years ago.

“My sister (Ciera, 17) was taking guitar lessons and I was always singing. So I wanted to take lessons too,” Madi said. “Scott helps me with stage performance and vocal exercises to make my voice stronger.”

She said she also performs in the Rock Performance Program.

“I’ve really learned how to work with others in a band,” she said. “It’s also a lot of fun because you get to meet a lot of cool people.”

Currently, she is in a band with her sister called, “Wasabi Bomb.”

“This is an ongoing program for bands who want to stay together after each trimester,” Graham said. “We help them through the entire music experience of starting a band. Then, after each trimester, we put on a show at the Boardwalk. Then, if they do well, I will manage them and help them move forward in their career.”

The school has four teachers who have all led experienced music careers.

“The best part of being a teacher is being able to share my knowledge of what I’ve learned over the years,” Graham said. “I’ve been teaching in the area for so long that I’ve seen a lot. I always have kids coming up to me years later saying I’m the reason they play the guitar.”

He said being a music teacher is not only being a teacher, it’s also being a mentor.

“I teach students integrity and mutual respect. We are all working together in a band and are constantly complementing each other. These are life lessons.”

While teaching will always be a main focus in his career, Graham said, a new venture in his life is performing as a solo musician at local venues and events.

“This way I can stay local and play a couple times a week,” he said. “It also lets me teach six days a week.”

His musical career also allows him to perform in his favorite role, a full-time father of three kids ranging in age from 2 to 11.

“They are musically inclined,” Graham said. “But, like my mom, I never force it on them. I just let it happen organically.”

For more information on Graham Music Pros School of Music, call (916) 220-4726 or visit GrahamMusicPros.com.