James D
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk
James D
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Self Taught Oak Grove High Graduate
Music has taken me to see places of the world I would have never been, music has given me some of the coolest jobs in my life. Playing organ for the San Jose Sharks NHL team was a dream come true, and I am still the youngest person to have held that job in the NHL. They still use all of my recordings. I went to the Virgin Islands last year to perform with a band on New Year's Eve, total paradise all to enjoy just for playing some music! I currently travel the country for Roland Digital Piano Company and enjoy being able to perform for different audiences on high quality instruments.
My teaching experience started about 10 years ago when I was in Guitar Center looking at keyboards and someone asked me for lessons... I still have that student and many more now and have a very high retention rate and am an upbeat, positive teacher that students enjoy coming back to. The fact that I also play live gigs about 4 nights a week gives my students a chance to see me play live and get inspired, something that is really necessary to keep a student motivated for years.
For beginners I will start with a reputable system of books, such as Hal Leonard or Alfred's, supplemented by my own worksheets and song selections that are relevant to the student. For more advanced students I will use my own open method, finding songs that the student is eager to play and reinforcing the theory and techniques that will enable the student to advance quickly.
I had my first paying gig at 7 years old and have never looked back! Always striving to keep my repertoire relevant, I developed a great ear that allows me to learn many songs quickly. I always emphasize that in my teaching so that a student is not only playing, but actively listening too. My teaching method is very open and is tailored for each individual student. With some I do any combination of technique, theory, composition, and improvisation.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.