Elkton, FL Music Theory Lessons

s work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've taught hundreds of different students since 2003 with great success, from 5-year-olds with special needs to middle-aged professional opera singers, from a professor in Saudi Arabia to a 65-year-old doctor of music, from kids of Radio Disney to students of the famed Actors Studio in New York, from busy stay-at-home parents to retirees with bucket lists, from CEOs to touring singer-songwriters.

I've created and led a workshop about singing called, "The Whole Body Singer". I've written dozens of articles about music and music education for the blog at TakeLessons.com.

My extensive knowledge of the voice has encouraged and empowered hundreds of singers and prepared many of them to win competitions, pageants and auditions, as well as roles in operas and musicals. When a student comes to me in need of voice coaching, my job is to get to the root of mental blocks, to reveal why and how she's not singing at her optimum.

Both teaching myself piano and receiving formal training at a conservatory has prepared me to teach almost anyone how to play.

The intensive training and education that I received at Westminster Choir College in songwriting, music theory and sight reading has benefited my students at every level.

My current work as singer and keyboardist in the acoustic rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. As a lifelong learner, I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2014.

In the lessons that I teach, I'm flexible, positive and encouraging. While I want my students to have fun and love music, not dread it, I expect hard work and persistence. I am caring, patient, nurturing, and compassionate. In piano lessons, I usually allow the student to choose a piece with which to warm up and then move on to technique and repertoire. In voice lessons, I usually warm up the singer and discuss technique and sight singing before focusing on song choices. Joan Frey Boytim wrote a book for voice that I like to use, and I like the Estelle Liebling exercises for the more advanced singer. Hanon exercises are a big part of my piano curriculum, and I enjoy the Bastien and Alfred books for young and old. I have used completely random songs pulled out of a piano bench and a karaoke CD for kids. I will use almost anything I can get my hands on if it means effectively teaching music.

Acting lessons consist of exercises and games that apply learned concepts, with an emphasis on stage acting and Meisner technique, as well as monologue and audition coaching.

Parents, siblings and spouses are always welcome to observe lessons quietly.

nning quickly. I help students get it under their fingers fast and get it right the first time.

I believe in sharing the happiness of making music with anyone who loves music and the guitar in particular. I do my very best to get you playing the songs you love in Pop, Rock, Jazz and Folk Music of your choice. Today's modern new guitars are easy to play and you will enjoy learning Guitar right away. That is how it should be.
When you study there is a basic understanding of Guitar to be learned that allows an ease of use for anyone for years to come. This will help you reach your goal and improve each week. My students learn to practice in a way that feels comfortable and makes sense. This takes all the stress out of learning and gives everyone something to smile about and look forward to each week.

The good feeling of playing along with friends and taking a solo is within every students grasp. I will show you the way there. And with a solid and straightforward approach to the theory as it applies directly to the guitar you will feel confident and unafraid of any music endeavor. We'll cover harmony and fingerboard theory and give you a road map of the guitar neck that makes it a pleasure to play. You learn the basics and much more than you thought possible retaining 90 percent of what you learn!

Having been a student myself I was deeply involved in music since age 12 and played in bands and duos for over 15 years . I can help you to be a well rounded player and performer with a smile, a laugh and a joy for music whether your in a band or a budding solo artist.

*** Lesson Details ***
Most students want to play the Guitar to play their favorite songs and I'm the same way. Music is something we carry with us in our hearts and minds. Students will learn what they wish to learn and work at a pace that is comfortable to them. Whether you are a student, “weekend warrior” or a parent whose child has expressed an interest in Guitar anyone can learn all there is to know about Harmony and Theory for the Guitar and how to play their favorite songs.

We cover theory in an easy and straightforward no nonsense way in the first half of each lesson and then apply it to the song you wish to learn. This creates an atmosphere where you understand and feel at home with the Guitar. You get an understanding right away and because it is immediately fun it allows you to feel comfortable at any level. Music is fun, and songs are the creative expression of what we feel. Combining theory and the freedom to play and sing songs allows us to express ourselves through music. 
After 6 months students will have a solid foundation in theory, and a road map of the guitar fretboard enabling them to advance to an intermediate level if they are ready to do so. Students will know enough that music as it relates to the Guitar, which is the world’s most popular instrument in contemporary music, is not a mystery but is a welcome friend. And they will be able to play songs by popular artists and advance at a pace that is satisfying and enjoyable.
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Student Comments:
What Students Are Saying About ~ James Teaching Style

“James’ patience, knowledge and under-standing made learning guitar fun. I like the lessons. He cares.”
--Rebecca L., guitar
student, Venice Beach, CA 2003

“James taught me to
play pop and rock, and
introduced me to
fingerstyle guitar. I love it!”
--Joseph E., guitar student, Vancouver, BC 2006

“I studied guitar privately with James in 2010. His style of teaching helped me to get
past my blocks. He opened new doors for me. Thanks!”
--Daniel S., guitar
student, Los Angeles, CA 2010
""James is a trustworthy man, great with answering back right away. Always ready to help with new members. I would definitely recommend him." ~ PJ Stover of PJ Stover Voices; Independent Film & Recording voice-over artist
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What James spouse says about working on songwriting with him:

"James is my husband for over 10 years now. Over the years, I have seen James give guidance and counsel to many hopeful musicians of all ages, and inspire others about how music influences and benefits our lives. I would highly recommend James to anyone who wants to learn guitar, voice, music theory, and acting. James is a great talent, and study with him would benefit anyone with the sincere desire to grow as an artist. When we married, I had fallen in love with James’ conversational style, and his vast knowledge of music. When I heard him play guitar, I knew that I wanted to write songs with him, and we released our first album, in 2012 on iTunes."

Regards,
Keri W.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ovation Glen Campbell Artist Acoustic Electric Guitar, Ovation Pacemaker 12 string Guitar, Ibanez PF 5 Acoustic Electric Guitar, Fender Telecaster 6 string Electric Guitar. Korg Mini Pandora III Amplifier/Studio EFX, Toshiba Laptop Satelite Pro with PreSonus Studio One Artist Software, PreSonusUSB Audiobox, HD7 Studio Monitor Headphones, M7 Condenser Mic, PreSonus Studio Producer software with SoundCloud integration, iBook G4 with Garageband 3 and iLife Studio. Godin Summit CT Electric Guitar is the guitar I now endorse exclusively !

*** Travel Equipment ***
Lesson Plans, Godin Summit CT Guitar, Fender and Ovation Guitars, Tuner, Android Smartphone and apps, iPads, Korg Mini Pandora Amp, Toshiba Satelite Pro Laptop. Android LG Smartphone with Tuners, Voice Recorder, and Metronome and Chord Reference Guide, and Guitar Tuner, iPod Touch Pro Studio.

*** Specialties ***
Songs in the following styles: Pop, Rock and Modern Country Music. Also Composition Analysis while learning the song.

itar and start singing." -- Angelina, age 16

*** Lesson Details ***
Each lesson will begin with tuning the guitar and warm-ups. Then we'll move on to either our practice books or a song or piece you have chosen to learn and study not found in the books.

If you are beginner, we'll start with how you handle the guitar and any technique issues. Then we'll work on note and chord recognition, the ability to sight-read and play from memory.

*** Studio Equipment ***
2011 Apple iMac;
MXL 910 microphone;
Yamaha Nylon-String Electric-Acoustic Guitar;
Yamaha Steel String Guitar;
Gibson Les Paul Special Electric Guitar;
Esteve Spanish Classical Guitar;
Roland Cube 80 electric guitar amplifier;
Ibanez T80 acoustic guitar amplifier

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music Stands;
Foot Rests

*** Specialties ***
Song Transcriptions - Use your ear to learn and notate song melodies and the guitar parts

ic theory and composition from New York University, a Bachelor of Music in musical theater from the Catholic University of America, a certificate in vocal performance from the Peabody Preparatory, and is an alumnus of the famed BMI Lehmen Engel Musical Theater Workshop. She is also a pianist of twenty-seven years, trained under a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory.

In addition to music, Natalie has also studied child and adolescent development, psychology, and music education. She has been teaching music students of all ages privately and in classrooms since 2006. She personalizes her instruction to fit the learning style of each student, focusing on technique, theory, and repertoire while making sure the student does not lose his or her love of music in the process.

As a composer, she has written for both the piano and the stage and is listed in The Directory of Contemporary Musical Theater Writers at Contemporary Musical Theater.com. She wrote the music, book and lyrics to Deployed, which premiered off-off Broadway at the Abingdon Theatre Company in November 2013 and played again at the Gene Frankel Theatre in January 2014 to sold-out audiences. It was featured in the Musical Theater Factory’s 4x15 in March 2015 and continues to be developed. Other work includes: Hall Pass ("Flyers and Fryers," Grace Church School, produced by Blake McCarthy), The Big C (songs, Dramatists Guild), "Performance Anxiety" (music/lyrics, The Flea Theatre, Raw Impressions Musical Theatre Marathon),The Music of Natalie (The Duplex), and "Movement to Contact" (score, Veteran Artist Program PSA). She has served as rehearsal pianist for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and accompanist and music director for NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts.

th you and talk about what goals you'd like to achieve, and hopefully I can help you get there!

Thanks!
Enoch

theatre and work with kids every day.

I was training American Sign Language at Northern Virginia Community College back in 2012. In 2015 I studied under an ASL master from Gallaudet University. I have continued to further my knowledge of ASL every day. I was recently the ASL captain at work who helped make sure all signs were done correctly and expressed properly.

My goal is to help you learn what you are craving to know! I try to not charge too high for lessons, I know that this is something that is for fun and is not always a possibility so I try to keep it at a lowish price so that everyone has a chance to learn. I am very flexible to schedules. I am willing to have a regular time or switching it up weekly; I have students who travel for a living so they are always on a different time zone; no matter the obstacle I will make it work for you!
Something that is great to know about me is that I never stop training, pursuing growth and knowledge. I read books in these various fields to learn more and more, take master classes, and train with my own vocal coaches. I think art - on any platform, is a great way to get out of your head, free your mind, and open up yourself. So this can be for professional training, a hobby you always wanted to pursue, or a dream you wanted to chase after.

In my class with you, or you child, I will make an individualized lesson plan that focus around what skills you already have, what skills you aim to improve/gain, and how you learn. I am very familiar with the fact that we are ALL different, which means we will all learn DIFFERENTLY. I am willing to explain something in as many ways as one needs in order to understand. I like to think of my lessons as a “safe place” to explore, have fun, grow, and be okay with making mistakes. We will always start with the basics, understand the core of the craft - for example in singing that would be our vocal anatomy and how it all connects together. I use props to help make the concept more visual and graspable as well as diagrams. This is not something someone will pick up in one lesson, so don’t come in saying “I can’t”, you can, you just have to learn HOW. I will show you the how. Remember, this is a learning process, we must embrace each step of our growth.
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Some background of how I came to do what I do:
I have been working professionally for theatres for five years now; which has had me living in various towns in NC, OH, AR, and traveling nationwide for tours. I have a lot of experience under my belt for my years. I began taking performance classes as young as age 2 when I started ballet, then I began singing in choir in third grade. I started being in awe of sign language when I saw an interpreter working her magic around age ten and I asked my mom for a sign language book. Expanding my knowledge is what I do for fun, so when you pick me you pick someone who is constantly growing and learning more which will ultimately benefit the student.

I teach a variety of classes that, for the most part, circle around the arts! Some of my classes include, but are not limited to: Acting, Child Acting, Improv Audition Prep, Various styles of “Singing” classes, Ear Training, Musical Theatre, Music Performance, Various “Art” classes, Facial Exercises (Which is great for singers, and those who speak a lot day to day to help relieve tension in the face), and more!
For an explanation on each class, I will be recording a video that describes them and posting that on here soon! There is a video trailer of me singing and dancing that is currently available. If you want to know anything more at all please do not hesitate to send me a message and I will respond as quickly as I possibly can!

a of Saint Augustine, Florida and at the Jacksonville School of Music in Jacksonville, Florida.

My teaching philosophy is simple - teach how to play the guitar, not just how to play the songs. I pride myself on being a positive and patient teacher, dedicated to his craft and to each student's success.