TESTIMONIALS!

• I just wanted to thank you much for teaching me how to play the guitar and the ukulele. You're such a great teacher and you make every lesson I take fun! I always look forward to playing and I love that you let me pick my own music to learn.  Thanks James! - Lily H.

• James has gone out of his way to learn about my daughter and her interests and always takes her lead when conducting his lessons.  He is a gifted musician but also highly skilled at teaching and is an all-around great guy,  He is kind, friendly and extremely patient.  His rapport with kids (and parents) is fantastic and we appreciate his flexibility when we need to reschedule lessons.  Thank you so much for making music with Lily.- Jamie A.  

• My son has taken Lessons from James for over three years. He has grown from a complete newbie on the ukulele to a confident musician playing at recitals all under James’s nurturing. The best thing about working with James is that he isn’t just an excellent musician, he knows kids and is an excellent teacher. Davy enjoys his lessons and they play music he is interested in as well as the rudimentary elements. - Colleen F.

• James makes lessons fun. I like my lessons and talking to him. I have learned a lot and had fun too. - Davy F.

• James is a terrific teacher who I have been taking lessons from for five years. He has been able to teach me some fairly complex solo acoustic guitar pieces despite the fact that I am musically and rhythmically challenged. His ability to hear a song once and transcribe and arrange it into a teachable format never ceases to amaze me. James is a talented musician who has a great understanding of music. He sprinkles as much or as little theory into his teaching as his student wants to learn. The combination of James’ patience, cheerful disposition, and knowledge of music makes my lesson one of the highlights of my week.

  Rory G.

• I wish that James had been my teacher when I was younger.  11 years of violin and piano did not teach me as much about music as he did in 1 year with him.  Eight years on, he’s still challenging me to be a better musician. His love of music and performing is contagious, and he treats all of his students (of any age) as musicians worthy of respect.  He finds ways to encourage even the shy ones to perform. James meets students at their level, and then sets them achievable challenges, even in a group setting. He teaches an open “office hours” session that’s technically for guitar, although some ukulele players also show up.  He can take one student’s question and make the answer work for all the skills and instruments in the room: assigning more difficult chords or rhythms to more advanced students, slowing it down for beginners, etc.  It helps that he is highly skilled in fretted instruments, drums, and keyboard.  He is good at finding different approaches to difficult concepts to help students learn.  He has broad musical knowledge including jazz, classical, pop, world  music, and folk.  He believes in his students and their ability—even before they do!  I tripped over a music stand the first time he suggested I do a recital, now I play in public regularly including singing my own songs which James first encouraged me to write.

  Diane G

• James is an amazing guitar teacher!  Although I had wanted to learn to play guitar for many years, when I finally decided to start taking lessons I was very apprehensive about my abilities and I completely lacked confidence that I’d ever really sound musical.  I’m thrilled to say that now because of James’ excellent teaching, patience and encouragement, I can not only play many songs by strumming chords and finger picking, I can also read and understand guitar music.  James is an exceptionally gifted musician with extensive training and knowledge of music theory yet he happily welcomes students of all skill levels. He is calm and relaxed in his teaching approach, always making me feel successful and never embarrassed by my lack of skill or understanding.  He has realistic expectations for his students and adapts his teaching style to each student’s individual learning needs.  I know that without his careful instruction I would never have progressed to where I am now.  Best of all though, through his positive encouragement James has really helped foster a love for playing and it has become a meditative and cathartic outlet for me.  I’m motivated to work hard in order to continue to progress and I happily pick up my guitar and play every day, every chance I get.  If someone wants to learn to really play and deeply understand the guitar, I highly recommend lessons with James.  He’s simply the best!

  Jan C

• James is a gifted and talented music teacher. James has provided ukulele lessons to my son for several years now.  He makes learning to  play fun while teaching proper technique.  James has an unique ability to make learning music theory interesting for a 12 year old boy and hold his attention for the entire lesson.  He caters to each student’s individual wants and needs to progress as a musician. It appears that James thoroughly enjoys challenging his students in a thoughtful, empathetic way that encourages them to strive and thrive.  We are grateful that James continued to provide lessons virtually once COVID-19 hit.  The transition was seamless and we appreciate  the continuity those lessons provided our son.  As a parent, I strongly encourage you to give James a try.  You can’t go wrong!

      ⁃    Stacey and Neil M.

• James has been my drum teacher for the better part of a year. When I began this endeavor I didn’t know a Hi-Hat from a Kick Drum but it quickly became apparent that I had been blessed with a very good teacher. James is a natural instructor. He is always patient during the learning process, is an excellent communicator and will listen attentively to your concerns. What really sets him apart is his enthusiasm as he watches you develop. If you are his student you will not only learn your subject well - - you will enjoy yourself in the process

  Nancy-Jane L.