Daniel James

Growing up in an artistic household, Danny James' musical journey began at the early age of six.His musical aspirations were born out of the simple love for American Rhythm and Blues.

Danny began playing professionally at age 17; auditioning and joining the renowned band Art Steele's Blues Breakers at age 19. His achievement in music allotted him status to meet his Blues heroes --B.B. King, Otis Rush, John Mayall, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley . . .

Attended the Conservatory of Music in New England where he studied theory and composition, having completed the Berkeley Modern Method for guitar.
While completing his certification at the Conservatory, Danny began teaching and shortly thereafter held the title of Assistant Director.

Additionally, Danny began his apprenticeship with a guitar luthier mastering restoration and repair of vintage stringed instruments.

As a sought after studio session musician playing on other artists' recordings,
he then went on to form an original blues-rock group: The Heap recording and releasing an album on a signed label.

Danny relocated from Northampton to Central Florida in 2015, continuing on his path and purpose as a musician and teacher.

Danny teaches students of all ages/levels in guitar (acoustic/electric), bass guitar, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, dulcimer, steel guitar, harmonica, songwriting, theory, composition, and performance.

- Experienced musician, instructor, leader and performer with professional recordings and teaching credentials
- Qualified assistant director with impressive promotional portfolio; excellent references from students and peers
- Resident expert on Blues history, performing and teachings; historian, workshop developer, and course director
- Instruments taught: Guitar (Electric/Acoustic) Mandolin, Electric Bass, Steel, Dobro slide guitar, Harmonica
- Topics taught: Theory / Composition, Songwriting / Arrangement

- Recorded Artist: intimately involved with the recording and pressing my original  Blues-rock trio (The Heap)’s debut album
"Loud With Love," released in 2012 pn Mudd Records. Pressed by Rainbo Record Label, CA 

EXPERIENCE:
Springfield Conservatory of Music, Instructor 1999-2007: Taught students of all ages in private music instruction, group
classes and music history workshops. Organized student recitals and taught the Berklee Modern Method for Guitar.
2001: Assistant director in small business management, promotion, registration and maintaining student enrollment.

Quabbin School of Music/The Amp Works, 2008-2011: Music instructor. Instrument set-ups, repair and restoration of
vintage guitars and amplifiers. Employed until closing autumn of 2011.

Agawam Music, 2009-2015 Instructing students of all ages/level. Created and implemented an individual lesson plan
for students with learning disabilities utilizing a specialized curriculum. Fretted instrument restorations and repairs.

The Underwood School of Music 2016-2020 Instructing students of all ages/level. Created and implemented an individual lesson plan. Instruments taught: Guitar (acoustic/electric,lead/rhythm) Bass guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Dulcimer, Songwriting/Arrangement, Performance.

DRF Music Studios 2017-2023 Instructing students of all ages/level. Created and implemented an individual lesson plan. Instruments taught: Guitar (acoustic/electric,lead/rhythm) Bass guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Dulcimer, Songwriting/Arrangement, Performance.

2023-Present Teaching privately to a select base of students online