Guitar, Voice, Flute, Saxophone
James Vermilya grew up in a musical family, and his first instrument was the flute recorder in 4th grade, followed by the flute in 5th grade. In 6th grade, he decided he wanted to be able to play pop and rock and roll music like his older brothers, so he set about learning all his major and blues scales and playing along to the radio. Since then, James' greatest strength in music has been creating melodies that fit existing music in the form of solos.
In high school, James added saxophone, guitar & voice to his skill set and played in a stage band with his brothers. It was a desire to create music that propelled him into increasing his skills and begin songwriting, but after several years as a co-leader of a band, James returned to work as a "sideman" for various bands, though he still leads a band or performs solo on guitar and voice from time to time.
James has played professionally in Southern California, Oregon, and Texas, primarily as a saxophone, flute, and harmonica soloist. He is highly regarded by band leaders, fellow musicians, and audience members as one of the most effective, dynamic, and entertaining musicians with whom they have had the pleasure to work.
In addition to teaching secondary band and choir and elementary general music, James has had several private saxophone, flute, and guitar students and has taught Mariachi. His goals as an instrumental music instructor vary depending on the student's needs and wishes, but it is important to him that each student can access the instrument quickly enough to have fun and feel accomplishment from the very beginning. For this to happen and avoid boredom and tedium to set in, students must be willing to work enough to advance from lesson to lesson and learn the skills and art of improvising.