James M  
Instruments: Guitar, Ukulele
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel

Thank you for your interest in my teaching! I am a guitarist from Eastern Kentucky who currently resides in Cincinnati. As an artist, I believe in working to broaden the cultural horizon of this instrument through the arrangement and performance of works from around the world. I take an approach to teaching that uses music literacy training to help students effectively pursue their individual musical interests. It’s wonderful to see students continually develop the ability to ask progressively more interesting questions. I’ve been a full time teacher and performer for more than two decades; I’ve taught at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music; I was the founder and Executive director of NoteAble, an ensemble-based music program; and I currently teach at Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts. My studies include a Masters of Music Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, a Bachelors of Music Performance at Eastern Kentucky University, and a performance certificate at the Incontri Chirarristici di Gargnano in Italy from Oscar Ghiglia. As a performer, I’ve given concerts throughout the United States, South America and Italy. Recent performance venues include: Cincinnati’s Music Hall, Eastern Kentucky University, Music For All Seasons, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Christ Church Cathedral, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Incontri Chirarristici di Gargnano. I was recently granted an opportunity to record with the renowned Guitar Salon International. The thing I love most about working with students is adapting to how differently people learn. It’s such a pleasure to take people into spaces of music making, opening up new pathways of thought, and observing them slowly blossom in that space. It would be lovely to see if I might be able to help you along your musical path.

Hello and thank you for your interest in this beautiful instrument. I've been teaching for a little over two decades now and I enjoy it more now than ever. I love meeting new students because with each person comes a unique personality and learning style. I try to teach each student according to their respective proclivities while helping them to overcome their weaknesses as well. I try to create a fun environment to learn in, providing students with necessary musicianship skills paired with specifics tailored to their personal goals. The eventual goal is to teach a student how to teach themselves. I've found if you mold a musician you're making someone whose interest in music will persevere, always taking that next step, and always finding more interesting and challenging questions. It’s within this gradual cultivation of curiosity and knowledge where I’ve found the most joy and I see it as a responsibility to share that place of joy with my students. An instrument is an opportunity for any of us to take a step outside of ourselves, to simply observe and play with beautiful sounds. To make music is a peaceful space of mind to be in and a remarkable feeling to bring others into this space with me.