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Teaching |  He divides his time teaching - both cello and piano - at DeVoes Music in Lansdale and DeLucas Music in Hatboro. Through special arrangement, he can also teach in the student's home. Students of all ages and abilities are welcome! | |||
When it comes to teaching, I like to address many aspects of music in my lessons. Building on a firm foundation of the basics - notation, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and technique - we go on to explore and develop other essential skills. Drawing on my extensive experience as a performer and a teacher, I work with each student to provide a personalized approach that makes learning rewarding and fun. Here are just a few of the key areas I cover with my students:
I enjoy teaching, and I look forward to the opportunity to teach you or your child!  | ||||
| TESTIMONIALS: - As I sit in on Andrew’s lessons each week, I find Jim to be a kind and patient teacher. He uses illustrations from other interests Andrew has (such as sports) to help teach the importance of the hard work needed to succeed in playing the piano. He challenges Andrew to reach the potential he knows he can achieve through affirming comments. He also keeps lessons interesting by weaving music theory, playing the piano and sometimes listening to songs being played or playing along with accompaniment CD’s. Jim relates to his students very well and Andrew enjoys his lesson time. - Tamala M. / parent - While learning from Jim Holton, I have learned to appreciate classical music as well as jazz in a way that I have never done before. After a year of learning from him, I am now able to accompany other students. He showed me what he calls "the art of mastering", which is a method by which to practice which includes: decreasing the speed at which I practice, breaking the piece into sections, singing the notes out loud, and practicing each hand separately. -Adam F. / student - Jim Holton has been our son's cello teacher for five years. During that time, he has become a friend and a mentor to our son, enriching his life with the gift of music. He is a very positive teacher who always expects the best of his students. Jim is always challenging Seth towards the next level, yet making sure he feels confident in his skills and motivated as he works towards it. It's very obvious that Jim has respect for Seth and all his students, and an appreciation of their endeavors and accomplishments. Jim is always creating unique opportunities for his students to play in different venues with peers and more accomplished musicians. He believes that performances provide great opportunities for his students to fully grow and develop as musicians. Seth has been privileged to listen to amazing classical and jazz musicians - especially Jim - who have inspired him and expanded his taste in music. Jim goes above and beyond what one would expect of a music teacher. He always has time to talk to us on the phone and will spend extra time with Seth to overcome a hurdle. Jim conveys that he is honored to be Seth's teacher in his words and actions. After five years, he continues to give our son time and support that extends way beyond the music room and into a bigger community of music. -Margie and Joe G. / parents - When I retired as a physician and scientist who had had very little free time, I wanted to get back to playing the piano and catch up with where I had left off with piano lessons at age 17. Jim took on the task of reintroducing me to many pieces of classical music and, more importantly, opened my eyes, ears and psyche to the nuances and full meaning of the pieces I tackled. He has an uncanny ability to make you “feel” the music, bring out the voicing, make the piano itself open up to what it can do as “your instrument”. He persuaded me to go a step beyond my previous experience: we started to play cello and piano duets. Again, an experience that I would not have wanted to miss. There is such richness in the combined sound, with him masterfully guiding and adapting to bring out the best in both of us. Jim has to be credited with a wonderful sense of teaching, guiding and supporting me in my new/old hobby. He has a unique dedication, patience and sensitivity as a music teacher that directly translates into enthusiasm about music for the student. His applied psychology and use of his extraordinary stack of musical experience, stories and playing ability has made it a joy to continue my weekly lessons with him now into our 4th year. - Dr. U. T. / student - For the past four years, we have been extremely pleased with our son’s progress in studying the cello with Jim Holton. Jim provides a great deal of positive feedback on Nick's strengths, but also focuses on the areas in which he needs to improve. In addition to working on musical technique, Jim enhances his teaching with relevant (and often humorous!) life lessons, advice and encouragement. Our son is playing musical pieces now that we never dreamed he would be able to do, and more importantly he is developing a love of the cello, due in part to Jim’s enthusiasm for the instrument. Jim is always patient, encouraging and caring. He has a great rapport with kids and teenagers and has become more than “just a teacher”, he has become a valued friend and mentor to our son. - Janine B. / parent | ||||