Murfreesboro Music Lessons

ichard Miller, world-class early music expert Nancy Zylstra and twentieth-century vocal music expert Sharon Mabry. He has had masterclasses with the Metropolitan Opera's Bodo Igesz, Metropolitan Opera Singers Daniel Taylor, Jennifer Lane (with whom he still studies), French-diction coach Elvia Pucinelli, vocal pedagogue Richard Miller, and Thomas King, director of the AIMS Gratz program. As a violinist and violist, James has studied with music-education specialist Sara Johnson, Francis Elliot, Nashville Recording-Artist Randall Olson, and concert violinist Stefan Petrescu.

As an educator, he has served on the faculties of the Cumberland Arts Institute, W.O. Smith School of Music, Murfreesboro City School System, School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University, Allegro School of Music and the East Nashville School of Music. He has taught hundreds of students in various formats ranging from one-on-one studio settings to entire youth symphony orchestras and choirs. He has been active as an adjudicator, participant, and member of various competitions and education-related conventions. He also maintains membership with various educational organizations such as the American String Teacher's Association, Music Educator'€™s National Conference, and Early Music America.

In addition to working with and coaching Grammy award-winning and nominated artists, Mr. W's students have auditioned, been selected and have performed in the Tennessee Mid-State and All-State Choir (principal positions) and Orchestra Festivals (violin and cello, in addition to being members of the Curb Youth Orchestra and Philharmonia at the Blair School of Music.

His students have also performed in several professional and amateur performances across the Southeast. They have also gone on to major in music earning tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships from prestigious conservatories and colleges across the country. Many of his students have become professional musicians across many genres, educators themselves, or satisfied amateur hobbyists.

*** Lesson Details ***
As a teacher many have described my style as nurturing-but-firm. When I see a student's potential, I make sure that student can attain it. I expect a willingness to learn, a desire to succeed, and a want for excellence. In return, I offer the tools to get the student there!

I know that not every student benefits best from only one method. As such, I employ a variety of teaching tools and methods to best suit each student. Strings students can expect to see a little bit of traditional training, a little bit of Suzuki and little bit of contemporary training. Voice students can see some Sieber vocalizes, some Vaccai, classical, jazz, and musical theater training built on an old-world teaching technique. It's all about giving the student the tools to do whatever he/she wants with his/her music of choice!

On your first lesson, I'll go over the materials needed, what you need to work on, and the very basics so you can immediately get to enjoying your new craft. In a few months, you'll be confident making new music or making better music. Within a year, you should be well prepared for one of my studio recitals!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a commercial music teaching studio used solely for the purposes of teaching. In the studio there is a piano, my music library, photo copier, computer, audio equipment, stereo, music stands, standing mirror, and various teaching tools. There is a waiting area for parents, siblings and other visitors.

*** Specialties ***
Voice: All Genres -- child-adult, all levels (beginning through advanced).
Violin: All Styles -- all levels (beginning through advanced).
Viola: All Styles -- all levels (beginning through advanced).
Cello: All Styles -- beginning through intermediate.

I start by working on songs that are of interest to each individual student.

*** Home Equipment ***
Lessons are taught in my home. Seating for parents available. No pets. Bass and electric guitar amplifiers are provided as well as cables.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a guitar tuner and learning materials (i.e. music sheets and learning material). I expect the student to have a guitar, bass, banjo or ukulele to play. I also advise an amplifier for electric guitar students. I am able to bring a small practice amplifier to lessons at student location.

*** Specialties ***
On Guitar: Acoustic & Electric guitar, Rock n' Roll, Blues, Jazz, Improvisation, Merle Travis chicken pickin', slide guitar and music theory. In the world of audio recording, I am well versed in Logic Pro X. I operate Logic in my personal studio to write and record music for TV, film and advertising.

of 1983 to 1997. I taught private students after school in my classroom while I was a public school teacher, and from my home since 1997. My post-graduate continuing professional education includes Tennessee Arts Academy at Belmont University, Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1 (vocal teaching techniques, do-re-mi, ear training), Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification, Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Piano Lab certification. My professionalism and expertise are at your service. I will work together with you to insure an enjoyable and informative learning experience.

*** Lesson Details ***
A typical lesson in my studio would begin with a brief question/answer time with the student to learn how their week has gone, and how their music practice is progressing.

For PIANO LESSONS we begin with Technique including scales and dexterity exercises, then we play from the Lesson book and a Recital selection. I typically let the student play through the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to play the piece again. After that we go over the Theory assignments, and do Ear Training exercises. I am comfortable teaching from a variety of different methods courses. The methods course is chosen according to the student's interest. I never require a piano student to continue using books that are not inspiring. There so many methods courses available, that a student may always be able to have methods books they LOVE.

In my SINGING LESSONS we also begin with a recap of the student's week. Then we continue with Warm Up exercises to prepare the student's voice for the lesson. Then we study Sight Singing and Solfege Singing (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to increase the student's listening skills. After that the student sings their selections. Like I do in Piano lessons, I listen to the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to sing the piece again. I am comfortable teaching many styles of vocal music including classical, Broadway, pop, rock, and Christian.

For MUSIC THEORY lessons, the study material is chosen according to the student's interest and age. Topics include notation, chord structure, chord progression, melodic structure, and harmony. I also incorporate Music Listening in the Music Theory lesson in order to learn from the masters in many styles of music. My Music Theory students will also have the opportunity to develop composition and songwriting skills if they desire.

My teaching style is structured and friendly, keeping the student's goals and interests at the forefront. I enjoy motivating students to reach their highest potential.
After 3 to 6 months in my studio my students will see improvement in their musical technique, ear training, music reading, notation, and knowledge. They will be preparing recital pieces for an upcoming performance. I provide three Studio Class performances (February, June, October) and one recital opportunity (December) a year. Most importantly, the student's love and appreciation of music will be growing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
PIANO lessons in Living Room: piano near front entryway, couch, loveseat, over-sized chair, dining room table, open space, end table with chair, parents may sit in on lesson.

SINGING lessons in Recording Studio: keyboard, recording equipment, desk, 2 chairs, music stand, microphone, private room. Parents may wait in adjacent rec room or sit in on lesson.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide lesson books, the students should provide their instrument.

I do have a mobile keyboard to bring for SINGING lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1

Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification

Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Lab certified instructor

ian, French, German, and Czech. I enjoy teaching my students any type of music so that they can carry out their dreams while singing healthily and beautifully.

rmance.

e more about a student realizing the positive force that music can be in their lives; music doesn't need to be a stressor.
I graduated from Belmont University in the Spring of 2018 with a degree in Commercial Music, so I have had the "conservatory training" in regards to theory, and music history, but before college I was largely a self taught player and am now a professionally performing musician here in Nashville. My primary goal with any student will be first to help a student achieve their goals, but ultimately to teach each student to think for themselves on their instruments so that they can go on learning for the rest of their lives.

reaming to learn.

For Swimming Lessons:

I am CPR certified and there is a pool at my apartment complex that we can use for free!

I competitively swam and played water polo for seven years and have taught lessons for four years. I tailor the lessons to the student's needs. If you just want to learn how to efficiently keep yourself alive in the water, I can do that! If you want to learn how to bring your 100 fly time down, I can do that!

Let me help you become the fish you were meant to be.