Teaching

Hi, I’m James, a recent graduate of the Composition Master’s course at the Royal Northern College of Music.

In my four years of teaching violin, theory and composition, I have worked with a wide variety of ages (from children to adults) and a wide variety of abilities (from beginner to advanced). My ambition as a teacher is always to meet you where you are; if you are looking to be pushed to excellence then I will push you, and if you just want to enjoy making music then I will help you to do that.

My passion is composition, and I find helping others to translate their ideas into music to be a very fulfilling experience. In my experience first as a student of composition and then as a teacher, I have found that the best composition lessons are a dialogue between the unique creative vision of the student and the skills, knowledge and experience of the teacher. That is what I offer as a composition teacher.

If you wish to enquire about starting composition lessons with me, please complete this contact form.

Student Testimonials

I am greatly enjoying my Composition Lessons with James Waide. He manages to perfectly balance encouragement and challenge as well as having an encyclopedic knowledge of music that enables him to illustrate any point with a suitable piece. I feel that my work is improving steadily in depth of expression and authenticity. I would heartily recommend him.

Current composition student

James is a fantastic teacher, prior to meeting James my daughter really lost interest in playing violin, so we tried a different teacher. James is patient, understanding, has a real passion for music and has excellent student engagement qualities; this has certainly had an impact on my daughter. She thoroughly enjoys her lessons and even practices the pieces James suggests at home (without being asked). She has a new appreciation for music and she has found her passion again. I highly recommend James as a music teacher, and thank him for all the time he spent with my daughter.

Parent of a young violin student