Dr. Jared "JJ" Jamias
About Me
Jared “JJ” Jamias is an Orange County–based musician, educator, and researcher exploring the intersections of music, culture, and learning. As a guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, JJ brings a diverse musical background into his performance, teaching, and scholarship.
Musician
As a guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer, JJ has developed a versatile musical identity shaped by performance, collaboration, and creative exploration. He performs as a recording artist under the name Prodijaé, creating original music that reflects his experiences as a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller.
JJ balances solo performance with ensemble work across classical, jazz, rock, R&B, and contemporary genres. He has performed in a variety of musical settings while also serving as a worship musician for St. Polycarp Catholic Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. His work as a performer, composer, and producer reflects his passion for connecting people through music across diverse communities and traditions.
With formal training in guitar performance and music education, JJ earned a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education from Chapman University. He brings experience across multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, voice, and saxophone, allowing him to approach music through a broad and adaptable perspective.
Educator & Scholar
JJ is an educator with nearly a decade of experience across private instruction, K–12 education, higher education, and community-based music settings. He currently serves as a professor at Chapman University, where he teaches courses in Education, while continuing to mentor students through private instruction and independent music education.
Throughout his teaching career, JJ has taught general education at the elementary level, including third and fifth grade classrooms, as well as general music, choir, and music production across K–12 settings. Through his private studio and instruction with various music studios, he teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, and songwriting, creating personalized learning experiences that help students develop technical skills, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to music.
As a scholar, JJ holds a Ph.D. in Education specializing in Leadership, with research focused on Filipino American culture, identity, storytelling, and education. His work explores the intersections of leadership, cultural identity, and learning, examining how personal narratives and community experiences shape educational spaces. Through his scholarship, JJ connects his experiences as a musician and educator with broader conversations about belonging, representation, and culturally responsive learning.
JJ earned his Ph.D. in Education, Master of Arts in Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance, and Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Educational Studies from Chapman University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University.