James’ Music Studio

Specialties

Piano & Voice Lessons

I offer keyboard instruction and vocal coaching for beginners through intermediate (pre-​college) level. Ages 4 – 60. Lessons are structured and notation based – not a «learn to play by ear» method. I use the Faber Piano Adventures series for keyboard, and an eclectic mix of literature for voice students, focusing on interpretation, repertoire and presentation.

I have a bachelor’s degree in church music (organ/​voice) as well as a master’s in music education (K-​8) from Belmont University, and over 30 years experience as a church choir director plus eight years as a staff instructor in music at Belmont Academy. I’ve been teaching privately since 2008 at four locations in Franklin and Brentwood.

History

Established in 2008.

For many years as a church organist and choir director, I taught students in the churches where I worked. In 2000 I was hired as a part-​time adjunct instructor of music at Belmont Academy, a division of Belmont Univerity (my alma mater). Then in 2008 I went into business for myself, opening «James’ Music Studio» in Franklin TN. I have been blessed in that endeavor and maintain a student body of 70 kids and adults at four locations in Williamson County.

Meet the Business Owner

James W.

Business Owner

A native of Rochester NY, I began piano lessons at age 5 with my mother. Over time I studied at a variety of private studios including the famous Eastman School of Music. After high school, I entered SUNY Fredonia as an organ major, transferring to Stetson University in Deland FL. While raising a young family, I entered Peabody Teacher’s College in Nashville. Later I trained as a Navy broadcast journalist, and once a civilian again, I spent five years as a classical radio announcer & producer at WPLN. In 1984, while leading the VBS music program at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, I dropped «Jim» and «Jimmy» and started using Mr. James, which stuck. In 1985, I completed a bachelor’s degree in church music at Belmont College (cum laude) and returned for a master’s in music education, conferred in 1991. The area of emphasis for my M.M.E. degree was Elementary/​Primary Pedagogical Methodology (translation: how to teach music to kids in K-​8). My internship was at Montessori Academy.