James R
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Swing, Marching Band
James R
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Swing, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
BM, Luther College, Choral/Instrumental Music Education
Performed with the Luther College Nordic Choir / Jazz Orchestra
Performed on Valleyfair stages for 3 years
Performed 2 Senior Recitals on Voice and Trumpet
I am very passionate about many different types of music including both vocal music and Instrumental Music. I have a strong background being trained classically while also performing musical theatre and pop on different stages. I graduated Luther College in 2014 with a Double Major in Voice and Trumpet and a Triple Minor in Choral/Instrumental Music Education and Theatre and I have had the opportunity to teach around the world in places like Waterloo, Belgium and Vienna, Austria. I have been teaching private lessons for 5 years and have been trained in voice and all concert instruments and strings.
My teaching experience started in High School when I would lead groups of my peers in musical exercises. I then had many opportunities to lead individuals or groups in lessons while at school. Professors who have observed me teaching all agree that I have a knack for teaching and getting the student excited about learning the music while also holding them to a high standard of education and seriousness about the subject. I have had the opportunity to teach in different schools around the world like St. Johns Interntional School in Waterloo, Belgium and the American International School in Vienna, Austria. In doing this I have encountered students with completely different musical backgrounds and have learned to differentiate my teaching according to that student.
Depending on whether it be voice or instrumental my methods will differ slightly. For beginning voice students (-12) I teach out of a folk songs book, and if they choose, challenging disney repertoire which adds an element of fun, but also is educational. for Intermediate students (12-15) I use the same folk songs book but apply more advanced techniques on proper singing technique, then depending on their level, I might do more advanced repertoire which fits them. For my advanced students (18+), depending on how advanced they are, I start them in the "First Book of _______ Solos" series. This series covers singing in English as well as several other languages and provides a good foundation for singing. Anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis. For younger brass students (10-14) I would teach out of the Standard of Excellence Books unless they are more advanced where I would start them in the Arbans Book, Robert Getchell Book, and/or Schlossberg Book. I would then find solos or other repertoire to work on depending on their skill level. This is also what I would do for my older more advanced students, and again, anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis.
My philosophy in teaching is that a good understanding of the foundation of music and the instrument will lead to self sufficiency in learning. I aim to teach my students not just to be dependant on myself as the instructor, but to be able to problem solve and learn on their own if they run into a question and an instructor is unavailable. I regularly practice sight reading with my students and keep them critically thinking about their music and what makes it up. Once I feel that the student is at a level to make critical decisions about the music they're making I will ask them to make their own interpretations of the music and help them along depending on style and appropriateness.
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