Mr. James with Lacey Seem* after her first recital, December 2011
A Personal Sketch of James Weinberg, Music Teacher
First of all -- who I'm not!
I'm not an institution...James' Music Studio is simply me!
I can offer personal attention to you and your children with a minimum of bureaucracy. I won't cancel your lesson to take a hot gig on a cruise ship. I don't tour with country superstars or do session work on Music Row.
I simply love music, adore kids, and totally enjoy teaching.
INDEX
Home PageLessons Locations
My Studio
Music Links
Lesson Schedule
Testimonials from
Students & Parents
See my Graphic Biography
I was once a kid, too! This is me at 16 while a student at
Brighton High School.
Cutting loose in the Praise Band at Belmont Heights Baptist a few years (and pounds) ago. I'm much calmer now!
And just in case you wondered...
my family does NOT own the
Weinberg Center for the Arts
and I am no relation to Max Weinberg from Bruce Springsteen's "E" Street Band!
*From Wendy, Lacey's mother:
"I cannot thank you enough for your patience, kindness, humor and positivity you have given to our family.
THANK YOU very much! We all think you are THE BEST!"
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A native of Rochester, New York, I began piano lessons at age 5 with my
mother. Over time I studied at a variety of private studios including the
Eastman School. 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 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 in Brentwood
teaching pre-school through 6th grade. Nowadays, I work hard to be the best piano teacher in Franklin!
More details may be found in my CV |
 With one of his boys--not a student!
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 Tilling in Brentwood As a teacher of piano, organ and voice, I specialize in beginning through intermediate level, and accept students of all ages. I also teach most styles, including jazz & pop. Theory and improvisation are text (method) based, since I believe it's crucial to have an intellectual comprehension of the principals of harmony, melody and form. Vocal coaching focuses on fun repertoire, interpretation, vocal production and confidence-building. |
You really don't know what
being an educator is all about until you've tried teaching music to a
group of 3 year olds! I've worked for local churches of every major
denomination as an accompanist, organist and
choir director. I am presently Choirmaster-Organist at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Franklin.
My wife of 40 years, Carol, and I have two grown children, Benjamin and
Rebecca, a poodle and two cats. In our "spare time," you can generally find us at home in
Brentwood gardening and landscaping. Isaac the Dog in the Backyard | ||
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Frequently Asked Question: "What kind of name is Weinberg?"
It's German for "Wine Hill" (vineyard)... Between 1900 and 1926, there was a Weinberg Piano Company in Riga, Latvia
I am not related to any famous Weinberg, including composers Jacob
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and Mieczyslaw
