• Private voice and piano instructor for 21 years
  • Participated in opera training programs in the US, Germany, and Italy
  • Directed 25 musicals in educational and community theatre settings
  • Served as the pianist in the orchestra pit for 11 musical productions
  • Performed lead and supporting character roles in 6 musical theatre productions
  • Portrayed 10 leading opera roles in educational settings and with various opera companies
  • Worked as a music educator for 5 years in a private school setting
  • Functioned as a church pianist, singer, and choir director
  • Taught voice majors and non-majors as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi
  • ​Former assistant to Dr. Jay Dean, former Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Southern Mississippi
  • ​Professional accompanist at Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Southern Mississippi​​
  • Music Director and Camp Supervisor for the University of Southern Mississippi’s Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience sponsored by the Theatre Department​
  • Full-time faculty member at Southern Wesleyan University

Dr. Amber James is the Assistant Professor of Music at Southern Wesleyan University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Southern Wesleyan in 2004, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Georgia in 2010, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018. Amber built and maintained a full-time voice and piano studio in New York City from 2015-2018. She currently continues to teach students online from all over the world.

Amber’s experience as a music educator began with teaching elementary and middle school music at Grace Lutheran School in Winter Haven, Florida in 2004. Since then, Amber has been active as an educator, accompanist, church musician, music director, private instructor, student, performer, and director. In her current role at Southern Wesleyan University she teaches vocal instruction to music majors and elective credits for non-majors. She also teaches Diction and Class Voice. In addition to her teaching duties, she is the Director of Student Productions for the university and is responsible for two productions a year.

Amber’s interests span all genres of opera, musical theater, and contemporary singing styles. She is an active member of NATS and Opera America. She believes strongly in networking with colleagues and participating in professional development for her own growth and that of her students. Amber is thrilled to be the first Director of Education and Outreach for Opera NexGen and looks forward to building relationships with organizations to foster the advancement of opera in the digital age.

As a teacher, I specialize in helping my students discover and develop their musical gifts. 

About Me

Discover and Develop your musical gifts!

Read more about my credentials

  • Piano and voice instructor catering to all ages, levels, and styles
  • Accompanist with a specialty in sight-reading
  • Vocal coach most often requested in the operatic and Broadway styles
  • Aid in performance preparation
  • Vocalist in any style
  • Works privately or with groups​
  • Music director and conductor

​Experience

Skills

My instruction is catered to the wants and needs of each student. Your agenda is my agenda.  As a performer, I crave portraying characters onstage. I continually seek opportunities to grow as a performer and to relate my performing experiences back to my teaching.