Secret Doors & Troubadours: A Tale of Ken Broyles

Suppose, for a moment, that you are walking into your grandmother’s closet. Reverentially, you look around at the organized conglomeration of colors and patterns of clothing suspended as if from thin air. You reach out and run your hand past them, feeling the textures on your fingertips. Suppose that you reach out both hands and separate the clothing, parting the great sea of fabric. What you see then makes the heart pause. Wonder, excitement, and possibilities color your thoughts as you stare at the hidden door that had been sitting quietly - all this time! - behind the clothing. 

Do you enter? Do you walk away? Perhaps you should ask permission? But surely this situation was meant just for you. What could possibly be on the other side of the door? I ask you, dear reader, what you would have done in this situation. I will tell you that Ken Broyles gathered himself, opened that secret door, and entered a new phase of his life.

Waiting on the other side of the hidden closet door was a storage space. With a mixture of hesitancy and fascination, Ken entered the room and saw a disassembled drum set. It was sitting there as if waiting for the very moment when Ken would discover it and bring it back to life.

This drum set belonged to Ken’s father. It took some pleading, but the drum set was eventually moved to Ken’s house where he could learn to play. Learning the drums was an awakening for Ken. It led to him purchasing a ukulele on a family trip to Hawai’i as well as an undertaking to also learn piano and songwriting. 

Fast forward to the present, Ken has been an instructor with Rock 101 since its second year, 2012. Admitting that he does not have a good ear, Ken had to initially rely on understanding music theory to help him learn instruments. What felt, at the time, like a detriment has turned into his super power. He now feels so adept at music theory that he is comfortable picking up new instruments or trying new skills based on his understanding of the musical components involved. In testament to this ability, he currently teaches drums, guitar, bass, piano, and ukulele. 

Ken loves having the opportunity to teach at Rock 101. In his mind, he gets to be Jack Black’s character from School of Rock every single day! He feels fulfilled knowing that he is having an impact on his students and he enjoys spreading his knowledge of music theory. Although there are certainly some big-time musicians and bands that have influenced him over the years, Ken feels most inspired by his local community. Fame and fortune aside, he simply loves to see any person being creative and doing something innovative in their musical practice. 

If we think back to that day in his grandmother’s closet, we must take a moment to acknowledge that not every child would have chosen to proceed through the door. Though courage may have played a small supporting role, it was wonder and curiosity that propelled Ken forward. These characteristics continue to shape his decisions in life. When not making musical magic, Ken has had a myriad of hobbies: archery, martial arts, gardening, programming, and aquascaping, just to name a few. His general wonderment about life pushes him towards trying new things and his inquisitive nature works to understand them. While he admits that he does not stick with all of these hobbies, he certainly enjoys the process of discovering them. 

Even Ken’s idea of the greatest adventure contains elements of exploration, fantasy, and wonder. In his mind, the greatest adventure (though admittedly not particularly realistic) would be to hike across New Zealand in chain mail. As I now know about the unexpected discovery of his grandmother’s magical door, his enchanting journey to music through the mystical realm of theory, and his eager exploration of new activities, I have to admit that he would make a fantastic Frodo Baggins.

In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien himself:
“Home is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.”

How grateful we are to have Ken in our community. Ramble on, Ken.

  - Danielle Parker