James Emery brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight to the realm of education. He has an innate ability to connect with students of all ages in a friendly, welcoming and inspiring way. Along with presentations on the nature and history of improvisation, jazz and related historical aspects, he also presents lecture/demonstrations connecting music with philosophy, art, literature and mathematics. Further information is available upon request.

Emery has conducted lecture/demonstrations, workshops, clinics, master classes and residency programs in conjunction with concert performances at the following locations (selected list):

- Stanford U.
- Dartmouth College
- Penn State
- San Francisco Conservatory
- U. C. L. A.
- Arnold Schoenberg Center, U. S. C.
- N. Y. U.
- North Carolina State
- Washington U., St. Louis
- Quad Cities Visiting Artists Program
- Evergreen State
- U. of Vermont
- Rutgers U.
- Valparaiso College
- Duquesne U. Guitar Camp
- George Mason U.
- SUNY Stonybrook
- U. C. San Diego
- Kutztown U.
- SUNY Buffalo
- U. of Oregon
- U. of Nebraska
- U. of New Mexico
- U. of Arizona
- U. of Tennessee
- U. of North Carolina

Mr. Emery has also presented many educational programs at elementary and high schools nationwide.

  Educational Background

Mr. Emery began his music studies playing organ at age 6. He switched to guitar at age 10 and studied classical guitar for several years with Ann Stanley, a violinist in the Cleveland Orchestra as well as a superlative guitarist and educator. While in Cleveland, he also studied with Ralph Russo, Bill DeArango and David Trader. He studied composition and theory at Cleveland St. U.,1969-71, composition at City College of New York, and he has studied composition and orchestration privately with composer Robert Aldridge since 1994. He has taught at the following institutions:
- Lecturer, Village College, Warwick, NY (2001 -)
- Adjunct Professor of Music, Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College (1985-87)
- Guitar and Composition Instructor, Creative Music Studio (1974 - 81)
- Guitar Instructor, Cleveland Music Settlement House (1967 - 69)