MODERN LESSONS

for modern piano

Pop/Rock and Jazz Fundamentals

Chord Theory

Improvisation

Music Technology

& More

James Works With You

Each 55 minute lesson is tailored to a students unique requirements - James takes the time to prepare repertoire, listening material, technical, and theory work based on each individual students needs.

We take on students from many backgrounds:

- Pop/Rock/Jazz band musicians wanting to juice up their sound
- Classical pianists wanting to tackle the unique intricacies of contemporary music
- School and university students developing their modern playing chops in solo, accompanying, and band situations
- Music 1 HSC students in NSW developing their final exam performance program

The common denominator is a love of modern music, an open mind, and a willingness to learn

  • "I have found James to be a fantastic role model to our students, with exceptional musical skills. His experience as a working musician allowed him to pass on valuable knowledge of the industry to our students. I would highly recommend James as both a piano teacher and performer"

    Mel Hale, Creative Arts Coordinator at Kildare Catholic College Wagga Wagga

  • "I’ve been having lessons with James for over 5 years. I was drawn to James unique style of teaching. I have enjoyed every lesson and my continued confidence in my ability to play piano. I can highly recommend James as a piano teacher"

    Jenny Powell, Student

  • “James’s ability to not only connect to his students learning needs, but act as a musical mentor was an instrumental factor in us continuing tuition online with James this year when we moved across the state. I cannot recommend James highly enough”

    Emily Dunn, Parent of Student

Our Focuses Include

In Person Lessons @ Inch, Co. Wexford

50% off usual price

In person near Inch, Co. Wexford: eircode to be provided 24 hours before your lesson

We'll shoot through a quick questionairre before your lesson so we can prepare appropriate lesson material

Suitable for ages 12 and up (yep, adults as well)

No prior knowledge needed, James can provide a masterclass on jazz harmony, get rockin' with some Jerry Lee Lewis, work on music technology and recording software, or give a complete beginner an insight into playing with chords

Students wanting to continue will have the option to be placed on our online lessons list after their lesson

About James

So, does James actually know what he's on about?

In short, yes - the guy’s been working on stage, in the studio, and in the pit since he was 15

He is a versatile and well-rounded musician with a career spanning multiple disciplines

As a Green Room Award-winning musical director and accompanist, he has been responsible for vocal coaching, band leading, and performing in musicals and cabarets on stages as far-flung as Melbourne, Australia, and Edinburgh, UK

As a hired gun, he has worked extensively as a session musician in recording studios and as a regular keyboardist for corporate bands and theatre-based tribute & original shows

As a composer, he has written and recorded original music for cabaret and theatre, with his compositions heard by audiences at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

As a student, he studied under the excellent tutelage of renowned Melbourne musicians Marina Kostromin, Darren Wicks, and Jack Pantazis at NMIT (now Melbourne Polytechnic)

As an educator, he has taught one-on-one contemporary piano lessons for over a decade and has worked as an accompanist, band leader, and musical director with over 100 Music 1 HSC students for their final performance exams

As a musician, he knows his craft and understands the critical skills musicians need in today’s industry

Performing History and Education:

James was drawn to the piano at age 12, and after a quick chat with his parents was promptly placed into traditional lessons. Whilst in lessons learning to “read the dots”, James was already feeling a disconnect between traditional teaching methods and modern music and embarked on a self-learning journey, teaching himself to play by ear using CDs and dodgy chord sheets from the internet.

By the age of 15, he was playing for tips in a local café and was hired as a keyboardist and rehearsal pianist in his first musical, RENT, before moving up the ranks as assistant musical director for Beauty and the Beast at age 16, to musical director and band leader of High School Musical at age 17, whilst at the same time delving into the pub rock scene with his first covers band "Good Time Charlie".

While at music school, having been awarded the prestigious Green Room Award in Musical Direction, and performing a successful season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, his musical comedy group was hand-selected to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in one of the "Big Four" venues, the Gilded Balloon, where they played to consistently sold-out crowds.

Taking this as a sign of bigger things, he made the decision to leave his studies early to pursue professional opportunities, where he has continued to thrive as a sought-after full-time musician in live gigs, recording sessions, music theatre, cabaret performances, and as a composer. Having already taken in an incredible education, he figured it’d be FAR more rock'n'roll to drop outta music school to actually work as a musician than to get the certificate.

Now working exclusively online, James takes on a limited number of intermediate and advanced students looking to advance their contemporary playing skills.

With extensive experience and a special interest in pop, rock, jazz, and musical theatre, James understands the diverse and essential skills required of contemporary pianists. His distinct perspective on piano education prioritises modern music, practical chord theory, scale/chord hacks, improvisation, and interpretation when reading “the dots"