James S., Columbia Music Teacher | Teaches Private Music Lessons in 65203

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About Me

I started playing guitar when I was 13, with six years of intense learning and months of recent learning. I love rock and metal music. My favorite bands/artists are Metallica, Nirvana, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, and the Misfits. I joined bands in high school as a guitarist and lead singer. I taught students how to play in private lessons throughout high school. I am a lifelong lover of film, with horror and Kaiju films at the top of the list. I am expecting my first child with my wife in August 2024. We have two cats named June and Wobbles and live in Columbia, Missouri.

James S. is proficient in and teaches Guitar Lessons, Song Writing Lessons .

Degree and Field of Study:

Interdisciplinary StudiesDecember

Central Methodist University

What to expect in my Guitar Lessons

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced

I have a good attitude, and lots of experience with child care and teaching. I studied teaching in college, and am comfortable in a teaching position and confident in my guitar abilities. I also have years of experience of working with neurodivergent students. Students are taking lessons so they already have a desire to learn, which is the hardest part! Every lesson is important in some way and will help them achieve what they want to learn on guitar. For example, if they want to learn guitar because they love Led Zeppelin, I tie that passion into their lessons. I explain how it will help them learn the style they are after.

Formal Education:

I have a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Central Methodist University in Columbia, Missouri. I created short films, and wrote an in-depth capstone paper entitled “Fear in Film” exploring horror history and the ways in which culture and world events have influenced the genre. While attending college I took multiple education classes and completed a student teaching program. In college I studied screenwriting, creative writing, and film theory.

Private Education:

I have very strong knowledge of the foundations of guitar. I have some experience with high level play, but I know there is still plenty to learn! I have knowledge of acoustic and electric guitar.

Performing Experience:

My personal play style is on the rock side, with hard rock, grunge, punk, pop punk, and especially metal. I have a base knowledge of blues but it is not my expertise. I played in bands throughout high school and college, so I have plenty of experience playing in front of crowds.

Experience Teaching:

My first job while a teenager in high school was teaching guitar to younger students in the St. Louis area. I enjoyed teaching for two years through a now-closed shop called Guitar Escape, and later transitioned to private teaching from my home. My duties included one-on-one instruction of adults and children in acoustic and electric guitar, lesson plan creation and execution, and teaching the elements of basic music theory. I have taught all ages but have more experience with teaching children. I have two years of guitar teaching and three years of working in public school classrooms as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. I have appeared on several podcasts including multiple episodes of the “Now Screaming” horror film podcast. I also have enjoyed time streaming on Twitch, so I am comfortable expressing myself on camera and in person.