About

“Music is the voice of the soul and a language that speaks to the heart when words fail”

Belle James is the Artistic Director at Arts of Faith International (AFI) and a Staff Minister at Artists in Christian Testimony International (A.C.T. Intl). http://actinternational.org/ She has traveled and performed around the world, thereby giving her an unusual, multicultural musical perspective. She also coordinates multicultural events for Knoxville International Network, accompanies the University of Tennessee’s Women’s Chorus, teaches piano both privately and at the Mount Olive Music Academy, and is a freelance accompanist.
Ms. James began piano studies in Malaysia from her mother at age 3 and began accompanying at a ballet school when she was 16. Since 1983 she has taught piano in 5 countries: Malaysia, Eng-land, USA, Singapore, and China. After completing all of the ABRSM exams, Belle studied in London under the tutelage of three professors (at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College, and the Guildhall School of Music) before coming to the United States for further study. She received a Bachelor’s of Music in Piano Performance (cum laude) from Northern Arizona University and a Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano (magna cum laude) at the University of Tennessee.
Ms. James has taught piano, music theory, and ear training. She has also coached singers and instrumentalists and has provided assistance with auditions, recitals, and operas. Ms. James has extensive experience accompanying choirs and collaborating with classical singers and instrumentalists, chamber musicians, and worship bands. She has performed in more than 15 countries, including a music mission tour with the Continental Singers. While living in China, Ms. James coordinated and managed a wide variety of music events involving many diverse cultures (e.g., Handel’s Messiah with the Miao Minority Choir). Ms. James has also collaborated with professional Chinese and European musicians in joint productions of chamber music, worship concerts, Yunnan TV Live Voice Competitions, and numerous other performances. In 2015, Ms. James will continue participating in music projects/performances locally and internationally. (Crescendo Summer Institute: http://www.crescendohungary.org/faculty) If you want to find out more about her creative arts ministry please go to Arts of Faith International, www.artsoffaithinternational.com

Music

Bach, Bartok, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Gershwin, Copland, Schubert, Schumann, Saraste, Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, Saint-Saens, Martinu, Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Kreisler.

Videos

Audio