A little bit about me.....
Marta, David and Devin at National Gallery of Art
I was born, raised, and received the bulk of my formal education in Emporia, KS. When I was 7, I begged my parents to let me play violin. Though they were not musical at all, they insisted that I play the old antique pump organ that we already owned. So I started piano lessons with Carol Longyear, the music teacher at William Allen White Elementary School, and practiced on that old organ, with the understanding that if I did well, I could start violin lessons at a later date. Sixth grade came along and I excitedly told director Don Kile that I wanted to play in his orchestra at Lowther Middle School. I was told that the only way I could be in orchestra was if I played the double bass.....he already had too many violins. Without hesitation (or parent's permission), I agreed and, after a couple of lessons, started orchestra. I continued piano lessons with Caren Loper through middle school, and still more lessons through high school with Agnes Reichardt.
I had no idea at the time what a musical journey I had embarked upon. I went on to participate in Kansas All State Orchestras (bass), Kansas State Piano Festivals, and played bass and piano in the US Army Band. While in college, I taught piano lessons at the Jane Wheat Fine Arts Center. I studied piano with Elaine Edwards, and bass with James Swain and received my Bachelor of Music Education from Emporia State University. I directed bands and orchestras at Robinson Middle School in Wichita, KS, directed All District musicals for Wichita Public Schools, worked as an educational representative/string repairman/salesperson for Jim Starkey Music Center, taught bass lessons at Friends University and Bethel College,and have played countless jazz, rock, polka, dance band, and chamber music gigs. I played bass (sometimes piano) with praise and worship teams at Pathway Church (formerly Westlink Christian Church) here in Wichita, as well as directing their bell choir. In 2016, I started my masters degree in music at Wichita State University..... which I may or may not continue. I also play the occasional jazz gig and perform with the Salina Symphony.
In 2016, I married Marta Prugar-James, a violinist with the Wichita Symphony. My first wife, Jennifer, passed away in 2014 after nearly 25 years of marriage. She and I fostered many children, and adopted two of them...... Michael, 21 and Devin, 15. We have a beagle named Buddy and a calico cat named Jazzy. When I'm not playing the piano or bass, or giving lessons, I enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and woodworking.
I am a member of the International Society of Bassists, the American String Teacher's Association, the Kansas American String Teacher's Association, and have served as President and Treasurer of the Wichita Area Piano Teacher's League.
I had no idea at the time what a musical journey I had embarked upon. I went on to participate in Kansas All State Orchestras (bass), Kansas State Piano Festivals, and played bass and piano in the US Army Band. While in college, I taught piano lessons at the Jane Wheat Fine Arts Center. I studied piano with Elaine Edwards, and bass with James Swain and received my Bachelor of Music Education from Emporia State University. I directed bands and orchestras at Robinson Middle School in Wichita, KS, directed All District musicals for Wichita Public Schools, worked as an educational representative/string repairman/salesperson for Jim Starkey Music Center, taught bass lessons at Friends University and Bethel College,and have played countless jazz, rock, polka, dance band, and chamber music gigs. I played bass (sometimes piano) with praise and worship teams at Pathway Church (formerly Westlink Christian Church) here in Wichita, as well as directing their bell choir. In 2016, I started my masters degree in music at Wichita State University..... which I may or may not continue. I also play the occasional jazz gig and perform with the Salina Symphony.
In 2016, I married Marta Prugar-James, a violinist with the Wichita Symphony. My first wife, Jennifer, passed away in 2014 after nearly 25 years of marriage. She and I fostered many children, and adopted two of them...... Michael, 21 and Devin, 15. We have a beagle named Buddy and a calico cat named Jazzy. When I'm not playing the piano or bass, or giving lessons, I enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and woodworking.
I am a member of the International Society of Bassists, the American String Teacher's Association, the Kansas American String Teacher's Association, and have served as President and Treasurer of the Wichita Area Piano Teacher's League.