James A
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Cello, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Punk
James A
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Cello, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
BM, Western Michigan University, Cello Performance
MM, Western Michigan University, Cello Performance
2015-2019 Birds on a Wire Scholarship
2016-2019 WMU Music Scholarship
Fall 2015 WMU Herbert Butler Scholarship
2012-2015 CMU Multicultural Award of Distinction
2012 St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea: Will Johnson Scholarship
2012-2015 CMU Centralis Gold Scholarship
I started playing the cello when I was 10 and the guitar and piano when I was 13. I studied at Central Michigan University from 2012-2015 and received my BA and MM in cello performance from Western Michigan University. I currently teach through the Academy of Music in Grand Rapids, the Ada Conservatory, the Music Center of South Central MI and the Gull Lake Partnership.
I have been teaching others since I was 13 years old and I feel that it is a natural process that involves collaboration between the student and teacher. I believe that teachers should tailor their instruction to the needs of the student that helps them learn efficiently but also encourages a positive teaching dynamic. My teachers have emphasized a solid technical understanding of the instrument as the doorway towards genuine musical expression. This is something that I attempt to communicate to my students as I believe that they will feel the most satisfied with their work when they understand how to solve their musical problems.
I focus my instruction on technical and musical understanding of the materials. I do this by introducing pedagogical books such as Suzuki, Rick Mooney and Hal Leonard. These supplemental materials provide incremental instruction that is advantageous for the beginning student. I pair these books with technical exercises such as scales and arpeggios. These exercises provide a technical understanding that allows the student to accomplish their own musical goals. I always make sure that the student understands the relationship between these technical exercises and their own musical vision.
My teaching style is focused in technique and theory. I believe that these two musical components allow individuals to understand the material that they wish to learn. Understanding the material at an elemental level allows the student to comprehend the steps that are necessary in order to accomplish what they musically desire. My greatest goal as a teacher is to help a student accomplish what they desire for themselves. Their musical vision dictates my instruction. However, I do supplement with a variety of pedagogical books (primarily Suzuki, Rick Mooney, and Hal Leonard) and focus my instruction on developing the student's practicing process.
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