James Gardner To All Instructors

James Gardner is a Composer, Conductor, and Pianist from the Hampton Roads region.

He was homeschooled K-12th grade, and attended classes at Homeschool Plus from the year it opened until his graduation in 2002. He began studying piano at 8 years old with Mrs. McLewin. By the age of 13, James was taking classes at East Carolina University in piano, composition, and music theory.

In 2006, he graduated Magna cum Laude from Nyack College School of Music in New York, with a Bachelor of Music in Composition, and minors in Piano, Organ, English, Philosophy, and Theology. While at Nyack, James was Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, The Forum. He also holds a Master of Music degree from East Carolina University School of Music and a Certificate of Film Studies from the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. While living in Los Angeles, James interned in the music department at 20th Century Fox Studios.

He is a winner of the Mary K. Paul Whitener Piano Competition; the North Carolina Music Teachers’ Association Composition Contest; the Nyack College Composition Contest; and most recently, the award for Best Music at the Christian Online Film Festival for his original film score to the documentary, “The Preacher to the Popes.” The soundtrack was also a finalist at the 2023 ICVM Crown Awards.

As a performer, James has played in hundreds of venues, including two national concert tours with fellow pianist Andrew Reith. James has extensive experience as a Director, Stage Manager, and Technical Director for live concerts and operas. He also has served as a youth mission trip leader and church retreat speaker.

James has been a member of the faculty at the Virginia Beach School of the Arts from 2009-2011, and from 2014-2024. He has over 15 years experience as a church music director, and is currently the Director of Music at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Chesapeake.

In 2009, James married his highschool sweetheart, Amy. They now reside in Suffolk, along with their four children, who all attend HSP.

Current Classes
Creative Writing & Research Paper – Instructor (open)
Music History & Appreciation – Instructor (open)
Music Theory – Instructor (open)
Private Piano – (open)
Private Piano – (open)
Speech and Debate – Instructor (open)