James K.

Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

Percussion lessons available from elementary to advanced levels!

Bio

James Koo is an award-winning percussionist who has dedicated much of his artistry to the promotion of Traditional Chinese music through the contemporary classical genre. His perfo... Read more

James Koo is an award-winning percussionist who has dedicated much of his artistry to the promotion of Traditional Chinese music through the contemporary classical genre. His performances and recordings have both been officially published by PSNY and have won multiple awards.

He is the 2023 concerto competition winner at the University of Michigan and won the Eugene Bossart Prize performing the Chen Yi Percussion Concerto with the University Symphony Orchestra. In the same year, he presented elements of his clinic 鼓樂 | Gǔ Yùe at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention as part of their World Artist lineup.

In 2022, his recording of Trans - Lei Liang (2013) was featured and awarded in the Black Swamp Multi Percussion Showcase. In 2021, his recording of Dialectal Percussions - Lei Liang (1994) was awarded at the Chicago International Music Festival for Best Work by an Asian Composer. Other collaborations include performing Le Espaces Acoustiques - Gerard Grisey with Ensemble Intercontemporain in 2021. In 2022, he performed All Rise with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Centre Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed and worked with Silk Road Ensemble member and Grammy award-winning artist, Kaoru Watanabe.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, James began his percussion studies at age six where he was enrolled in the Traditional Chinese Percussion program at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts studying with Yim Hok Man and Chau Chin Tung. In 2022, he graduated cum laude and received his B.M at The Boston Conservatory studying with Doug Perkins, Nancy Zeltsman, Samuel Solomon, Kyle Brightwell, Jon Bisesi, and Matt Smallcomb. In 2024, he graduated from the University of Michigan receiving a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance and Chamber Music, and a Graduate Certificate in World Performance Studies. His primary instructors were Doug Perkins, Ian Antonio, Nancy Zeltsman, Tom Sherwood, and Jeremy Epp. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at The University of California San Diego studying with Distinguished Professor Steven Schick. Read less

Teaching methodology

My teaching goal is to develop musicians who can thrive in the evolving musical landscape. Through percussion pedagogy, students acquire efficient learning strategies and become ad... Read more

My teaching goal is to develop musicians who can thrive in the evolving musical landscape. Through percussion pedagogy, students acquire efficient learning strategies and become adaptable citizen musicians. I achieve this with sustainable, progressive lesson plans based on inquiry, action, and reflection. My teaching fosters experimentation and selective listening, helping students build their 'inner ear' and sound vocabulary to articulate their personalized musical choices and artistry. Read less

• HK$500

  Hourly rate