A Yale-educated Doctor of Musical Arts and world-renowned concert pianist specializing in collaborative performance and elite vocal coaching.
James is a premier musical force in the Los Angeles area. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Performance from Yale University in 2001, following his graduation from the University of Houston in 1994 with a Bachelor in Music Performance. Since 1996, James has been a dedicated educator, guiding students through a sophisticated array of styles including Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Broadway, and Classical.
James currently serves on the staff at UCLA as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach for the music department. His prestige extends globally through his summer faculty positions at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara and his role as an opera coach for the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. He is a frequent headliner at prominent Southern California venues, piano bars, and cabarets, and has both directed and played for numerous Broadway productions.
An internationally recognized award-winner, James has earned top prizes in the New York Concert Artists Guild International Competition, the National Chopin Competition, and the Washington International Piano Competition at the Kennedy Center. He was also named Top Instrumentalist in the World Championships for the Performing Arts. James brings this world-class perspective to every student, offering a rare combination of elite technical mastery and creative performance insight.
James provides a master-level learning environment from his professional studio in Los Angeles. He believes in the "collaborative" nature of music, helping students build the confidence and technique necessary to excel in any professional or recreational setting.
Professional Scope: James is available for high-definition online instruction and select in-home lessons throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
We know that inviting an instructor into your life requires trust. That's why every instructor at Melody Music Studios, including James, goes through the strictest vetting process in the industry.