James H
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
James H
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
BME, University of Northern Iowa, Vocal Music Education
2013,2015,2017 - Gold Star Teacher Semi-Finalist (top 12 of 500)
2017 - Most Iowa All-State Musical Theatre performers of all schools the state.
2016 - Featured tenor soloist - Haydn's
2015 - Featured Choral Conductor, Cedar Valley Christmas
2011 - Iowa NATS Finalist - 3rd Place - College Senior Men
For five years prior to moving to the city in 2017, I taught choir one of Iowa's largest and most diverse high schools, where I also served as the competition musical theatre coach. Additionally, I have been a voice teacher for 8 years in total, with students rising to high levels of success in state, university/college, and regional singing competitions.
When time allowed, I performed in numerous regional plays and musicals, as soloist for professional choral/orchestral ensembles in the area, and often served as music director and vocal coach for university, community, and high school productions.
Since moving to the city, I have been cast in several plays and musicals, a young artist opera company, and currently, I am performing with the Metropolitan Opera as a supernumerary.
In the summer of 2009, after my freshman year of college, started what would become an annual "pop-up" voice studio of 20-30 local students in my hometown who would take weekly lessons for the duration of the summer. Long before graduation, I saw this opportunity as a one to build teaching skills, test my own knowledge, and further instill a love for music and the voice into kids from my home community.
Students regularly and successfully compete, audition, and perform for various talent searches and productions at all levels.
I have experience teaching students ages 7-80 and welcome every age in between. Beginner through advanced, I promise vocal growth, an increased awareness of one's instrument and its capabilities, and a sense of confidence in each of my students.
I focus on the voice first - not just repertoire, not just impending auditions or competitions. Building the voice - not just the performance to come - is an approach I have found to yield strong technique that can carry students far past any immediate need. Building range, teaching the function and physiology of the vocal anatomy (moreso as students age), and bringing students to understand their voice as an extension of their heart, mind, and body are all simple goals I have for each student.
I present relevant and age-appropriate repertoire to my students in both musical theatre and classical voice study, noting the long-term goals and the more immediate goals of the individual in front of me.
I am positive but realistic, flexible but grounded in technique, and create an open, honest, and focused lesson environment. I know the voice is personal for all singers; hearing critique can often be difficult and disheartening. With this in mind, I approach all students differently. My youngest students need very different approaches than the oldest, but I find that connecting, as humans, with all ages is imperative, no matter the person.
I believe every person can sing, but I know not every teacher can get every student to do so. One of my strengths as a teacher is building the voice in students who have been told they have none - who have been told they have no shot at being a singer. Taking each student "where they're at" currently, building the voice from that point, is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things I know how to do as a teacher.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.