James S
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Avant-garde
James S
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Keyboard
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 12-80
Fellowship (2012) Musicology/Ethnomusicology [University of West London: London College of Music] Clinical Hypnotherapy/Music Therapy Diploma (2006) [Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Tarzana, California] Master of Music (1994) Piano/Vocal Performance [California State University, Fullerton] Bachelor of Music (1992) Piano/Vocal Performance [California State University, Fullerton] Diploma Early Music Keyboard Performance (1988) Harpsichord/Piano Forte [University of Victoria, B.C.]
2015-Best Lounge Album of the Year [Cocktail Nation, Sydney, Aus] 1995: Keyboard Area Highest Honors, Cal State Fullerton 1986: Gershwin Performance for Ronald Reagan 1986: 1st Place Chapman U Piano Concerto Competition 1982: Debut with Pacific Symphony
Greetings Musika Students: My name is James S. and I'm located oceanside in the Bluff Park area of Long Beach, CA. I currently coach students age 12 and older in the following areas: piano, digital keyboard, voice, acting, violin, viola, music theory/ear training, music composition/arranging, music history and music therapy/breath. Lessons are out of my home studio and I also coach online (voice/acting, theory/comp, music history, music therapy). I teach all levels and all genres. I also offer artist development and management services to advanced musicians by audition/portfolio submission. I have taught privately for over 30 years and I'm currently a US professor for London College of Music, and I offer accredited music grade programs for performance, theory/comp, and musicology as well as actual degree-diploma programs. I have also taught of university, community college and for performing arts high schools. I'm an internationally recognized classical and jazz pianist/recording artists. My digital albums are readily available at I Tunes, Cdbaby or Amazon. I'm a published musicologist author. My credits include: The Cocktail Piano Companion, Jewels of Jazz: The Undiscovered Vocal Gems of the 1950s-1960s, Les Baxter, Lady Liberty: The Definitive Julie London Handbook and Artist Development. I'm the creator of the Cocktail Piano Hour series of albums, which are regularly played on international radio podcasts including: Cocktail Nation, Evenings at the Penthouse, The Cool Jazz Connection and Martinis at Midnight. I have performed in classical solo recital settings, in chamber and piano ensemble settings and as guest artist with orchestras. Credits include: The Pacific Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Savannah Baroque Chamber. I have performed as a jazz pianist/vocalist throughout the world. Credits include: The Cinegrill, The Westin Bonaventure, The Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa, Laguna Niguel, Disneyland, The Sky Room at the Breakers, and The Westin Grand.
As a music and acting coach, I'm an LA industry specialist. My music students are often high school students in the prestigious performing schools in Southern California including OCHA, HBAPA, Wilson High, Marina High and Millkin High. Many of students are professional musical theatre vocalists, actors in the industry and performing/recording artists. As an artist developer I work with artists on preparing for careers in the arts. I teach the business of music as well and act as an agent to my more advanced students. I also have great expertise working with retired active senior citizens. I headed up the gerontology arts division for Orange Coast College/Coastline College and taught music/acting at active senior sites for over 14 years. Many of my current students are retired seniors. I have written several text books on jazz theory, jazz piano, jazz vocal and musicology subjects that are used by schools and universities. As a professor of University of West London: London College of Music (US rep), I am able to offer internationally accredited music performance grades (1-8) for piano (classical, jazz pop), digital keyboard (pop, music industry), voice (musical theatre, opera/classical, pop, rock, jazz). I also offer accredited music theory grades, and composition. I also offer home school based degree programs through LCM. My advanced students have access to my recording studio located in Westminster CA and I encourage students to prepare for University, record albums and learn the business aspects of music.
Piano: Alfred Adult, LCM classical, LCM jazz, standard classical, jazz and pop piano rep Voice: LCM classical, jazz/pop/rock. Bel canto approach standard art songs and arias. Standard musical theatre rep, jazz charts Theory: LCM classical and jazz theory grades 1-8 Violin: All For Strings, LCM violin, fiddler's fakebook Viola: All For Strings, LCM viola In addition I use my own text books, and all my lessons include theory/ear training. I vary the use of pedagogical materials to the needs of my students. I tend to teach more intermediate-advanced students but do work with beginners. I only accept students age 12 and older. Lessons are available out of my home studio or online. I also use online media lessons and have a channel on Youtube as well as information at my website.
My teaching style is well rounded approach. I teach not only music performance which includes technique, memorization, practice techniques, body mechanics and health, and memorization but also theory, ear training, music history, performance and music business. All my students have opportunity to perform, learn how to audition for local musical theatre productions, how to record and how to prepare for careers in the arts (if they choose). Many of my students are composers/songwriters, produce albums, perform with local companies, Disney performers or are actors in theatre, television and motion picture. Whether a student is learning for personal enrichment or preparing for a career in the arts. I GET RESULTS. I have had a reputation for over 30 years of being a leader in the arts. I help bring out the unique talents of each student I work with and give them 100% of my tools to become the best artist they can be. I also have a great background in health and psychology. I''m able to adapt my teaching regime for the needs of each student. I have also worked with sight impaired students and students with stage fright. I highly stress the health of my students. My instrumentalists learn yoga, feldenkreis and Alexander technique. My vocalists and actors learn about correct diet, yoga, breath and vocal maintenance.
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