James W
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk
James W
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk
Where I Teach:
Online
Ages Taught: 5-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
Bachelor Degrees in Performance and Music Business - Berklee College of Music
Awards:
Top 3 Finalist, 2017 Enlightened Piano Radio Solo Piano Awards, (performance at Grand Ole Opry)
Semi-Finalist, 2017-2018 American Prize Competition, Solo Piano Performance
First Prize, 2016 Miami/Dade Theater & Art Lovers Community talent show
First Prize in Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar, 2014 Topanga Banjo/Fiddle Contest
1998 - Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Overview:
Music has been my life-long passion. Now, I enjoy passing that passion along to others so they can find the same joy music gives me. I started taking private piano lessons at the age of 7 and immersed myself in Classical music. By my high-school years I was winning awards and scholarships for my piano playing, but I was also losing interest in Classical music. I starting learning the guitar at the age of 16 to play Rock and Heavy Metal. Ultimately, those interests took over and I attended Berklee College of Music as a guitar major, despite having studied the instrument for only two years. I graduated from Berklee in 2004 with degrees in Guitar Performance and Music Business. Immediately after college I spent several years working in the corporate world. I found that the job security was not worth sacrificing the pursuit of my passion. I started teaching and performing music for a living in 2010 and have been doing so ever since.
EXPERIENCE
I began teaching in 2010, doing group and private lessons. I found individual instruction to be more effective, and have worked regularly for private studios, other online services, and as a freelance teacher. Every lesson I ever had as a student, every performance I've ever given, and every lesson I've given all add up into the experience I bring into my work as a teacher now. Some of the most important things I've learned are: 1.) Regular, daily practicing is the most crucial element to success. 2.) Take the time to address details and get them right, no matter how long it takes. If you skip them early on you'll regret it later. 3.) Every student is different, and no one structure will work for everybody. A teacher must be flexible and always keep the student's best interest in mind.
METHODS USED
There are so many method books available for piano and guitar that it can become overwhelming. Ultimately, they're all teaching the same information, but these are the ones I have settled on: 1.) For children and teenage beginners on piano I prefer Faber, and occasionally the D'Auberge method 2.) For adult beginners on piano I like the Bastien method 3.) For all guitar students I generally use the Hal Leonard method and/or Basix Tab method. For those more interested in Classical guitar I like the Christopher Parkening method (but I don't specialize in Classical instruction). Of course, these are only starting materials, and other music will be introduced depending on a student's individual goals and progress. I approach my lessons with a philosophy of "Teach a student what they want, while instilling the fundamentals they need."
LESSON STYLE
I strive to maintain a high standard of excellence, while keeping instruction rewarding and fun. I'm not a strict taskmaster who gives orders. Instead, I want to inspire my students through positive reinforcement that reveals their own capabilities. I don't focus on specific styles of music. Instead, I use established teaching methods to build strong foundations in technique and theory. Pupils can then apply these to any style of their choosing. I mold my approach to suit each individual’s needs and goals; but always with the same friendly and patient demeanor. I want every student to achieve their musical potential in a relaxed atmosphere. I'm constantly preaching "Believe in yourself, keep trying, and eventually you will be able to do it."
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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