James Beck

James give students of all backgrounds and abilities positive, life-enhancing experiences through playing one of the most beautiful musical instruments, the cello.

He has over 20 years of teaching experience across the primary & secondary sectors. He draws on a wide range of teaching traditions and methods, to teach the ‘complete person’ tailoring his approach to each student and the desired outcomes of the learning experience - be it playing the cello for sheer pleasure or for a specific purpose. 

James has devised and delivered education programs for Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Open Academy, WA Dept of Education & WA Youth Orchestra Association. He has prepared and coached students for performance and examination experiences, from AMEB preliminary to HSC performance units & has taught at some of the best Australian schools, including SCEGGS Darlinghurst, International Grammar Sydney, MLC Sydney, PLC Sydney, Perth College & John XXIII College Perth. Music scholarship preparation is a speciality.

As a performer, James was a member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for 12 years and currently performs with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia, Pinchgut Opera & Sinfonia Australis. James has been a recording & concert artist for Missy Higgins, Kate Miller Heidke, Kate Ceberano, Powderfinger among many others. In 2015 James created the Sydney Art Quartet, known for its vibrant performance style, and since March 2020 James presents the weekly Instagram TV session “Cross Pollination” to an audience of 5,000-12,000 viewers.

Full references can supplied on request:

'James is an oustanding and inspiring teacher of the high calibre'

'Extremely professional but at the same time very open and friendly'