Kevin Ott

Writer

Kevin Ott is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing for a wide range of publications. He is the author of a non-fiction book released by publishing house BroadStreet Publishing in November 2016, called Shadowlands and Songs of Light: An Epic Journey into Joy and Healing, which explores the common ground between the band U2 and the author C. S. Lewis. Kevin has written articles on many topics with specific expertise in music, guitar, and college.

Expertise

Author,Sound Engineer,Professional Musician,College Financial Aid Expert

Education

  • University of California, Santa Barbara: Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition

Musician and Composer

Kevin earned his B.A. in Music Composition at the College of Creative Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara in 2003. He is an expert on the theory, notation, history, orchestration, and composition methods of music. He has composed numerous works, including symphonies, chamber pieces, and solo works for classical guitar. While earning his degree at UC Santa Barbara, he also studied sound engineering under the legendary computer music guru Curtis Roads.

Professional Guitar Player

With over 23 years of experience, Kevin is a guitar professional. Initially trained as a classical guitarist, he expanded his styles to include jazz, rock, funk, and gospel and has performed professionally in a variety of venues in the United States and internationally. He also plays bass guitar and has professional performance experience in jazz and rock. He has also had touring experience as a professional musician, including a national tour with indie rock band Biblioteca.

College Financial Aid Expert

With experience in a variety of institutions from public universities to trade schools to private four-year colleges, Kevin has been actively involved in college campus life since 1999. In addition to attending a four-year university as a student, Kevin has worked in college administration for over ten years with an emphasis on financial aid. He is an expert on all matters concerning college financial aid, including scholarships, loans, the FAFSA, and the federal regulation that governs higher education.

As a staff member actively engaged in student life, he has volunteered in a wide range of student projects, including photoshoots, films, and academic events. He co-founded a literary society with students and faculty, helped organize campus-wide literary events, and spoke as a guest lecturer on the life and works of C.S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia.

More About Kevin Ott

Visit Kevin on his blog Stabs of Joy, or entertainment website Rocking God's House, where he writes regularly about music topics.