Study the Trumpet with James

Private lessons+ Master Classes/Clinics

James earned his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA

James earned his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance at the School of Music at the University of Iowa in Iowa city, ia.

James is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association & resides in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

James' Principal Trumpet Teachers Include:

Charles Schlueter, Principal Trumpet, Boston Symphony Orchestra + Soloist

Peter Chapman, Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra/Boston Pops

Nello Salza, International Soloist & Italian Opera Trumpeter

David Greenhoe, Lake Placid Sinfonietta, Quad City Symphony

James' Teaching Experience Includes:

Online Video Trumpet Studio, USA, 2010-Present

TEXAS:

Rockwall, TX ISD 2022-Present ✪ Princeton, TX ISD 2022-Present

Fort Worth, TX  ISD:  2017-2021 ✪ Midlothian, TX  ISD: 2017-2021

Kennedale, TX ISD:  2017-2021 ✪ Mansfield, TX ISD:  2017-2020

Crowley, TX  ISD:  2017-2019 ✪ Saginaw, TX  ISD: 2016-2017

ILLINOIS:

Westlake Christian Academy, Grayslake, IL, 2011-2019 (Regular Guest Artist Studio)

Libertyville HS, Libertyville, IL, 2004-2011 ✪ Oswego HS, Oswego, IL, 2004-2011

Wheaton-Warrenville High School, Wheaton, IL, 2004-2007

Plainfield South High School, Plainfield, IL, 2004-2006

School for the Arts, Community Christian Church, Naperville IL, 2003-2005

MASSACHUSETTS:

School of Creative Arts, Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA, 1995-2002

Concord-Carlisle HS, Concord/Carlisle, MA, 1998-1999

South Shore Conservatory of Music, Hingham, MA, 1995-1997

Middleborough Public Schools Music Department, Middleborough, MA, 1995-1997

 

Trumpet Master Classes James has presented at Colleges and Universities including: 

Bellarmine University ✪ Butler University ✪ Campbellsville University ✪ Cedarville University ✪ Clemson University ✪ Coe College ✪ Eastern Illinois University ✪ Kennesaw State University ✪ Northern Kentucky University ✪ University of Iowa ✪ University of South Alabama ✪ Wake Forest University ✪ Wright State University

DSC01695.jpg

Performing together

James performing with a student during a trumpet studio recital

My son Nick studied trumpet exclusively with James at least four years. James did a consistently fantastic job of working with Nick. James friendly personality and rapport helped keep Nick positive and engaged throughout many years of hard work. He hosted numerous recitals which allowed his students to prepare and perform more challenging pieces for an audience. James wide breadth of musical styles afforded Nick the opportunity to learn many types of music as well as discover where his own interests are.

Highly recommended!
— Stan Taylor, Libertyville, IL
IMG_1236.JPG

Trumpet Studio

James' Libertyville High School Trumpet Studio

James' Teaching Philosophy:

Each student is approached as an individual artist. James will work with you to develop a successful approach to the trumpet and to music in general. James has written pedagogical articles & developed his own specialized studies. 

James' background includes Chicago/NY/Boston Schools and Styles of Classical and Foundational Trumpet Playing.  Some of the resources utilized include classical methods/studies from Arban, Schlossberg, Irons, Clarke, Bitsch, Charlier, Voxman, Voisin to Contemporary Studies and Etudes from Bai Lin, Maurice Andre, Ponzo, Cichowicz, and more.  

James also utilizes music from all major styles and genres of music including classical, jazz, rock/pop, broadway/movie music, gospel/christian, hip hop, and more giving students a wide variety of musical knowledge.

James also teaches multiple breathing methods including classic and wedge breath as well as his own specialized method for sight reading, multiple tonguing, range development, and musicality.

As a player who has successfully navigated many problems on the trumpet (including an embouchure change, bruised lips, early lack of rhythmic coordination, trouble with low & high range through his formative years, and much more), James can help you to work through your challenges and bring you to a place of breakthrough by offering innovative ideas to develop your range, sight reading skills, creative practice methods/ideas, better fluidity and ease of play, and more.

 

High School/Music Store/Community Clinics

A Sampling of Clinic Topics...

  • The Trumpet through history...from Baroque to the 21st century and beyond

  • How to Prepare for Music in College

  • Proven Techniques in Multiple Tonguing, Fluidity, Range, and Sightreading

  • Effective and Enjoyable Trumpet Practice/Studies

  • Coaching students on Solo/Ensemble Works and Interpretation

I met James through my school band’s trumpet students who took privately from him during the summer. After several years of hearing the same results in my students - beautiful trumpet tone, good range, increasing love of the instrument and then the student’s parents deciding to have their children take from him year around, I decided to go take a couple of lessons to learn how he gets such consistent results.

I found myself getting a fresh wind to take back to my brass students and my bands at all levels (I teach 4-12th grade band). James is an encourager, very patient, loves music and is great with all levels of students. He reminded me why I went into the music education profession in the first place and helped me remember to relax and enjoy playing/teaching.

Some of my students have continued to take from James via Skype and are very satisfied with it. I’m looking forward to his next visit to Illinois to take a lesson or two and get some new ideas to take back to my band program!
— Karen Kurtz, Grayslake, IL
LHSRecital2006.jpg

Resources for Trumpet Students:

Here are a few links to help you with cleaning and maintenance of your instrument:

All material, videos, photos, audio & original content © 2022 Trumpet of Glory Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved