James D
Instruments: Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar, Accordion, Double Bass, Euphonium, Tuba, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Funk, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, Soul, Marching Band, Punk
James D
Instruments: Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar, Accordion, Double Bass, Euphonium, Tuba, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Funk, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, Soul, Marching Band, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor Degree: George Mason University
I am a music educator for the people! I seek to help a student find what motivates them and give them the skills to improve their own playing while having a silly time and keeping it light-hearted! I have been teaching for over 15 years in various capacities (churches, schools, private academies, homeschooling, contractor work, gigging and am always excited to help a student of any age find joy and love in playing music. I attended George Mason University for Music Education and outside of music, I work in Permaculture and study herbal medicine and ancestral skills in my spare time!
I taught my first music lesson in 7th grade to another trombone student in the band on how to play a part, after my band director was overwhelmed with other parts and HERE IT BEGAN. I have traveled across the country and worked in communities, providing affordable music lessons and community inspiration for all types of peoples. I served in Falls City for the 2018 school year with the Americorps Rural Outreach Music Education Program and organized a K-12 band and string program from the ground up. I worked with various churches in town to provide lesson space and organization for lessons to be held and organized non-denominational community sing-along events for students and parents alike. I have also organized day camps, taught private lessons and worked in private contractor positions most of my adult life. I play 10+ instruments and have a working theory knowledge.
I seek to help a student to find their own inspiration in whatever genres and fields they find appropriate. I help students develop their own inner passion by bringing them to community events to provide musical examples outside of the curriculum that is necessary to improve skill level on all instruments. I seek to help students find what they are hearing and to give them the theory tools (scales, technical ability, chords, form, reading, etc...) to write it down or play it back. Students of all ages are welcome. I have equal experience with children as adult learners. I am patient and understanding with all people. Music is a thing we all enjoy. Let's keep it that way! <3
Many students find themselves in a hard spot because many teachers are driving and insist on PERFECTION. This can often lead many students to feel uninspired or that music is all work and no play. I have never felt this way about music. Students can motivate themselves to play music and practice and a find their own materials if they are truly ENJOYING what they are doing. It can be as simple as a basic two chord groove! Music is here to help us feel better and learn to live and love despite our flaws, not to be forced into a tiny perfect box.
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