• Welcome!
    I'm James

    Learn more about me below!

About

James Duong has received extensive training in music, receiving his ARCT Piano Performers Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and his Bachelor of Music (Hon.) from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. As a graduate of Recording Arts Canada's Sound & Music Recording program, James is also highly interested in music production and recording. Since 2007, he has recorded, created arrangements and performed on a number of songs, both covers and original material. Since 2010, James has shared his musical recordings and performances on his YouTube channel where he has uploaded over 100 videos to date.

As an active member of the Vietnamese community, James, or Dương Thái Hòa, as he is known among the Vietnamese, carries a strong love for Vietnamese music and culture. James continues to perform annually at various concerts, festivals, and charity fundraisers to audiences of 1000+ across Canada. Currently, James is a Top 21 contestant on Season 1 of "SBTN VOICE", the largest international Vietnamese singing competition and reality show of its kind.

Scroll down to learn more about James and connect with him for his services!

Services

Pianist

Pianist and accompanist for private events and social functions

Lessons

Piano and theory lessons for all ages

Music Production

Arrange and produce instrumental music, vocal music and/or background music for your various needs

Education

  • The Royal Conservatory of Music
  • Completed all requirements for piano repertoire, theory, history, ear & sight training
  • University of Toronto
  • Specialization in Theory & History
  • Applied major in Piano, studied under tutelage of Boyanna Toyich
  • Choral singer in the MacMillan Singers, under the direction of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt
  • Full entrance scholarship renewed in all 4 years of study
  • Recording Arts Canada Digital Media College
  • Learned and developed skills pertaining to: audio engineering and recording, editing and mixing audio, digital media workstations (DAW), sound design

Experience

Freelance Musician 2007 - Present

  • Annual performer for Thoi Bao Community Fund concerts; performed in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary to audiences of 1000+
  • Singer at various festivals and events including the Tet Toronto Festival (2016, 2017), Carassauga (2015), YD T.O. (2015)
  • Recording artist for local independent film soundtrack in July 2016
  • Accompanist for various events, including student recitals, weddings, charity events, festivals and concerts, etc.

Supply Pianist 2010 - Present

  • Supply pianist for St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, Ontario

Columnist at Thoi Bao Media 2012 - Present

  • Writing reviews and critiques on Vietnamese music and entertainment for Thoi Bao Newspaper

Top 21 Contestant at SBTN VOICE 2018

  • Top 21 contestant on Season 1 of SBTN VOICE, the largest international Vietnamese singing competition and reality show of its kind. Produced by the Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN) in California, USA
  • Traveled to California and to compete in various singing challenges, worked with top producers and singers in the Vietnamese music industry

Marketing Lead at the United Vietnamese Students’ Association of Ontario 2015 - 2016

  • Promoted events and initiatives on social media platforms
  • Created weekly content on UVSA Ontario’s YouTube channel
  • Worked with members to organize events throughout the year, including a Professional Networking Mixer, annual Ignite Culture Show, End-of-Term Retreat, participating and choreographing traditional dance for the Tet Toronto Festival
  • Wrote, produced and performed UVSA Ontario's theme song, "UVSA (My Family)"
  • Nominated for Most Outstanding VSA Member of the Year at the 2016 VSA Awards, hosted by the Union of North American Vietnamese Students' Associations (UNAVSA) at the UNAVSA-13 Leadership Conference in Boston, Massachusetts

Masterclass Guest 2014

  • Led a piano masterclass for the studio of Amanda De Boer
  • Critically listened to students of all levels of study, offered critiques and suggestions regarding performance, technique, and interpretation

Pianist at Oshawa Little Theatre 2011

  • Pianist for youth group production of "The Sound of Music," hired 2 weeks before opening night to replace former pianist; successfully learned score and performed to the satisfaction of the theatre company
  • Accompanist for youth group auditions

Recent Work

Check out my latest work on my YouTube channel below!

Contact

To get in touch with me use the form below or click on the social media icons in the left menu!

james.duong92@gmail.com

Message successfully sent!