Alumni Spotlight: Wade LeCain'22, Classical Guitarist

When Wade LeCain '22 was at Shorecrest, he held a precedent-setting solo concert performing classical guitar on the Janet Root Theatre stage in the fall of his senior year. 

"Wade is a phenomenal musician," said Band Director Ethan Updike, one of Wade's former teachers. "He created an Independent Study in Classical Guitar and the concert was part of his culminating project. Students his age of that skill level are rare." 

Wade took up guitar as a hobby at age nine "because my dad had a guitar, and my mom wanted me to learn an instrument." He learned to play "Souls Like the Wheels" by the Avett Brothers the summer before he started eighth grade and something sparked. "It is a more challenging fingerstyle song to learn for a 13-year-old, and I realized that I could have a future in music."

Wade took advantage of a number of music electives while in the Upper School at Shorecrest including Music Theory and Recording Arts, and created two Independent Study courses. He has participated in a number of summer intensive programs at top guitar schools including Interlochen Center for the Arts and Domaine Forget de Charlevoix. As a high school senior, Wade was awarded the St. Boniface Young Artist Showcase scholarship. 

From Shorecrest, Wade matriculated to the Florida State University College of Music where he has continued to pursue his passion. 

"The best part of attending a college of music for me is being surrounded by other people who share a similar passion. The support we show each other at recitals, concerts and rehearsals is really awesome to see, especially when you are up-and-coming in the industry."

Wade has big goals after finishing his bachelor's degree including additional formal education in classical guitar, performing and touring. "Nonetheless," he says, "teaching is one of the most rewarding things I have done, and I eventually want to settle down and do that."

Thinking back on his Shorecrest experience, Wade credits his teachers, specifically Mr. Ethan Updike, for helping him tailor his learning experience to his areas of interest. "Mr. Updike really helped me hone my musicianship in high school," Wade said. "I took a music-related course every year of my Shorecrest education with Mr. Updike and he did an excellent job of helping me with what I needed to improve on while keeping me engaged.

"Aside from music, the teachers at Shorecrest made my Gen-Eds a breeze, and even my statistics related courses - I am a statistics minor - significantly easier. Attending Shorecrest taught me how to manage my time in preparation for college, making university a lot easier."

Home in St. Petersburg for the summer, Wade is continuing to grow his skills as a guitarist and as a music teacher. "I'm offering lessons to students of all ages and skill levels," he shares. "I'd love to help inspire other Shorecrest students with a passion for music!" 

To learn more about Wade's career and music lesson offerings, visit www.wadelecain.com or @wadelecainguitar on Instagram.

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