- Bachelor of Fine Arts from Berklee College of Music in Piano Performance
Experience
James has taught private lessons to beginners and advanced learners in piano, composition, drums and voice, as well as in youth musical theater programs. He specializes in jazz, Latin American music, pop, rock, and contemporary styles, improvisation, and harmony. In his own work, he collaborates closely with songwriters and composers, and is proficient in music production, arranging, recording, and notation (including notation software).
Bio
James is a pianist, composer, singer, percussionist, and native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn. At the age of 4 he started lessons in piano and percussion and has been hooked ever since. Since he was 14, he has been playing gigs in New York for jazz artists, singer-songwriters, rappers, fusion bands, salsa bands, and more. He attended the well-known LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and Music and Art, where he studied vocal music. After graduating from Laguardia, James received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he completed his degree in Piano Performance. Over the years, James has had the pleasure of performing at notable venues such as Birdland Jazz Club and Carnegie Hall.
James believes that music should be a fun activity and his teaching style focuses on cultivating a love for music in students of all ages. He works with students to build skills by studying the music they most enjoy playing and listening to. In addition to core playing and singing abilities, he emphasizes improvisation, composition, music theory, and rhythm.
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