James - Teacher #3393

Instruments:
- Clarinet
- Composition
- Flute
- Piano
- Saxophone

Services:
- Composition
- Counterpoint
- Dictation
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM
- RCM - Advanced Rudiments
- RCM - Basic Harmony
- RCM - Basic Rudiments
- RCM - Intermediate Harmony
- RCM - Intermediate Rudiments

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

Music is an integral part of the human condition. Throughout my own life, it has served as the medium to discovering more about myself, whether it be within my own motivations, passions and/or joy. I wish to pass on this means of self-discovery to my students, and have them explore the passionate, motivational and joyful sides that music can sustain within people.

From the youngest to the oldest students, I believe that large amounts of stress and anxiety have no place within one’s musical education. As such, I wish to pass on my passion for music to my students in a joyful and enjoyable way! Additionally, I am committed to having my students reach their musical goals by guiding lessons based on their individual interests and needs. Everyone is unique, and I wish to keep students passionate and enjoying themselves by exploring a wide variety of music.

Musical Education

I have been fortunate enough to have graduated from the prestigious Humber College with a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone/Woodwind. At the school, I am grateful to have studied with a wonderful and nationally-renowned faculty, including study of saxophone with Kirk MacDonald, Pat LaBarbera and Nick Morgan, and flute and clarinet with Mark Promane and Andy Ballantyne. Additionally, I studied composition and arranging with Kirk MacDonald and Mike Downes at Humber.

In addition to this, from the age of four until the age of eighteen, I studied piano and classical harmony and history privately. From this study, I have my Royal Conservatory of Music Certifications in Grade 9 Piano, Harmony and History.

Awards and Distinctions

First Albertan to be awarded the premier award of the 2019 MusicFest Nationals Festival, the Yamaha “Music Makes Waves” Award.

3 Year member of the flagship Humber X Ensemble at Humber College.

Played Lead Alto in the 2019 Conn Selmer Centerstage Band at Musicfest Nationals.

Section Leader of the Saxophone Section in the 2019 National Youth Band of Canada.

Placed 3rd representing Saskatchewan in the Woodwind Class of the 2018 FCMF National Music Festival.

Performed with national and international jazz luminaries such as Dayna Stephens, Terri-Lyne Carrington, David Virelles, Rich Perry, Dennis Mackrel, Kirk MacDonald, Kelly Jefferson, Alex Dean, Mike Downes, Neil Swainson, Lorne Lofsky, among various others.

Performs regularly at historic Toronto venues such as The Jazz Bistro, The Rex, The Pilot, The Emmet Ray, Poetry Jazz Cafe and more.

Special Skills and Training

I am very grateful to have participated in a number of nationally-renowned honour-ensembles, festivals and workshops over the years. This includes the National Youth Band of Canada, The ConnSelmer Centerstage Band (national youth big band), The Youth Jazz Canada Workshop, The Intercultural Creative Music Fellowship (through Humber College), the FCMF National Music Festival (national kiwanis-affiliated music festival) and more. These experiences were enriching not only due to the wonderful mentors we were privileged to work with, but because of the diverse and passionate peers that were with us. As such, the insight of these peers and mentors alike have impacted me in a very positive light, and I am thankful to be able to draw on these experiences in my own teaching.

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).

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