Meet Dr. Guerrero, Troy's new music professor

A conversation with Devin Guerrero can go from rap to reptiles and still circle back to music.

Guerrero, a professor of music theory and composition at Troy University, has turned a wide-ranging love of music into a career as a bassist, teacher and researcher. Snoop Dogg records, Russian symphonies and skateboard videos all helped shape his musical prowess.

“I want myself to be a really, really strong listener of music, more than a good bass player,” Guerrero said.

Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Guerrero listened to rock and heavy metal with his father, who is a drummer. He remembers trying drums himself before asking for an instrument he could hear while his father played. His father gave him a bass.

Before joining an orchestra, he learned entire records by ear through his headphones. As he became more familiar with the sounds, he wanted to understand what made them work and what they communicated.

Skate videos introduced him to more music. In high school, he also fell in love with classical music, sometimes surprising his skater friends with his interest in it.

College was not always a part of his plan. His parents did not attend college, and Guerrero said there was no expectation that he would. However, in high school, he balanced classes and ensemble rehearsals with about 30 hours of work each week at a barbecue restaurant.

It was an AP music theory class during his senior year that helped him find a direction. He remembers working on a triad worksheet and realizing he could enjoy doing that work for the rest of his life. Tutoring classmates also sparked an interest in teaching.

He went on to study music theory and music education, finding an enthusiasm for college he had not felt in high school.

“I got to college and something flipped like the switch turned,” Guerrero said.

His interest in different musical styles later shaped his doctoral research into melodic rap. He examined how rappers use recurring musical ideas to organize verses and how melody works alongside rhythm and rhyme.

At Troy, Guerrero said he asks his students to discuss how they complete assignments, compare their methods and reflect on what worked.

“Just because I know something really well doesn't mean I’m good at teaching it,” he said.

He wants students to take ownership of their learning, and he sees their experiences as opportunities to improve his own teaching.

“You have to continue to learn from your students,” Guerrero said. “That’s another part of my philosophy; students are going to teach you things that you didn’t expect.”

Through jams at Fuse, he also hopes to give students opportunities to learn by performing. Guerrero credits the gigs he played growing up with building his confidence as a musician.

“Just go play in front of people, and you’re going to learn,” Guerrero said.

He said Troy students have impressed him with their willingness to participate in multiple ensembles and take on new instruments. Having grown up in a city, he also enjoys the close connections he has found in a smaller community.

Outside music, Guerrero describes himself as a serial hobbyist. His interests include soccer, skateboarding and gardening. He has two dogs and a turtle and has kept snakes and other reptiles.

Growing up, Guerrero remembers feeling that the music he listened to came with expectations about how he should dress and who he should be.

“In the end, you can just dress how you want and listen to whatever music you want, and you don’t have to call yourself anything,” Guerrero said.