Performing History and Education:

James began learning traditional piano at age 12, but quickly realised there was a disconnect between traditional teaching methods and the skills required for modern playing.

Embarking on a self-learning journey, James taught himself to play by ear using records and chord sheets. Just a couple of years later, at the age of 15, he was playing for tips in a local café and had been hired as a keyboardist and rehearsal pianist in his first musical.

After honing his craft in musicals and the pub band scene, he left his hometown of Wagga Wagga to study several short courses at NMIT (now Melbourne Polytechnic) under the guidance of renowned Melbourne musicians Enio Pozzebon, Marina Kostromin, Jack Pantazis, and Darren Wicks. It was while studying at NMIT under Darren Wicks that James discovered a love and appreciation for jazz harmony and gospel music.

During music school, and following a successful season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, James' musical comedy group "Backwards Anorak" was hand-selected to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in one of the "Big Four" venues, the Gilded Balloon. James also received the prestigious Green Room Award in Musical Direction for his work with Backwards Anorak.

Leaving his studies early to pursue professional opportunities, James has continued to thrive as a sought-after full-time musician in live corporate and wedding gigs, recording sessions, composing, music theatre, and cabarets. As he told his mum, "it's FAR more rock'n'roll to drop outta music school to actually work as a muso than to get the certificate, right?"

James brings a distinctive perspective to piano education, prioritising modern music, practical chord theory, scale/chord hacks, improvisation, and interpretation when reading music.

With extensive experience and a special interest in pop, rock, jazz, and musical theatre, James understands the diverse and essential skills required by keyboardists in today's music scene.

Having taught modern piano for over 10 years, as 2023 closed in, with a large group of students graduating and moving on to university, he decided to close his physical location in Wagga Wagga, sell his gorgeous Yamaha C7 grand piano, and head internationally to explore the wider world.

Now located in Co. Offaly, Ireland, for the entirety of 2024, James is teaching exclusively online and thrilled to be sharing his professional insights with students across Australia, Ireland, and the UK.