Clarinet Tuition

James has played the clarinet since 1975, aged 12. He has performed chamber music, orchestral music, solo recitals and greatly enjoys sharing his love of the clarinet and clarinet playing through both performance and teaching.

James teaches AMEB grades from Preliminary through to LMUS, AMUS and FMUS.

Music Education and Experience

1983 - 1986

Bachelor of Music (Performance)

Canberra School of Music

During James' undergraduate period he was principal clarinet with the Australian Youth Orchestra (1985) as well as principal clarinet with the Canberra Youth Orchestra (1985 - 86), he also studied music composition, conducting and orchestration.

1996 - 1998

Grad Dip Music (Composition)

Sydney University

Whilst working full time and raising a family James continued his love of composing music by earning another music degree, this time in music composition.

2008 - 2013

Clarinettist with the Aeon Ensemble

Performing chamber music including:

Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581;
Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114 (cl, vc, pn);
Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11 (cl, vc, pn);
Stravinsky: L'Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier's Tale suite) (cl, vn, pn);
Milhaud "Suite for violin, clarinet, and piano";
Messiaen "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" (Quartet for the End of Time) (cl, vn, vc, pn);
and many others.

2013 - present

Principal clarinettist with the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Performing a very wide range of symphonic works including:

Beethoven symphonies (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7);
Beethoven violin and piano concertos;
Brahms symphonies (1, 2, 3, 4);
Rimsky-Korsakov "Capriccio Espagnol";
Resphigi "The Pines of Rome";
and many, many others.

Fiona L.

“James is a highly qualified and experienced clarinet teacher, his love of clarinet showed throughout the time we have had James as my daughter's clarinet teacher. His wealth of expertise and coupled with his patient teaching style, I would recommend James to any students of all levels."