A Brief Bioof James Weinberg, Music Teacher
After 7½ years of teaching at Belmont Academy, where he built his studio up to 40 students, James moved lessons to Holy Cross Anglican Church in January 2008, where he caters to the Brentwood-Franklin region.
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.
|
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's, 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.
More details may be found in my CV |
 With one of his boys--not a student!
|
 Tilling in Brentwood As a teacher of piano, organ and theory, 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. People who can play by ear already do so...may the force be with them! I also do some vocal coaching, but this focuses on interpretation rather than vocal production since I am primarily an instrumentalist. |
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 37 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 in the Backyard |
