Jim Prosser is a pianist and pedagogue who has maintained a passion for guiding young musicians for over forty years. Jim graduated with his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto, where he studied piano with Patricia Parr, and he continued his piano studies after graduation with Margaret Parsons-Poole. Jim also holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Western University, where he was awarded the Don Wright Award for excellence in teaching Vocal Music. Jim taught Music and Special Education with the Thames Valley District School Board for many years, where he developed a unique program for students with developmental disabilities that combined elements of music therapy through song and active play. Upon relocating to Chatham in 2005, he continued teaching for the Lambton Kent District School Board. Throughout his career as a public school educator, Jim always maintained a busy private studio, teaching piano, theory, and music history. His students have been accepted to the top music schools in Canada and the US, and regularly win awards and scholarships at music festivals and competitions throughout the province.

Jim has worked extensively as a collaborative pianist, first at the University of Toronto, and later, with choral organizations such as the York Philharmonic Choir, the London Fanshawe Symphonic Chorus, the Gerald Fagan Singers, the Chatham Cultural Centre Chorale, and the Windsor-Essex Youth Choir. Jim has also worked as both music director and collaborative pianist with organizations such as Theatre Kent, Studio Black, and the London Community Players for their productions of Oliver, A Disney Spectacular, Billboard, A Christmas Carol, and Gaslight.

Jim has a strong commitment to the many charitable organizations in his community, and he has given numerous benefit concerts for the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, the Canadian Hearing Society, Camp Wendake (for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS), Community Living Chatham-Kent, the Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival, and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Jim is a firm believer in the special ability of music to build bridges and to reach across the boundaries that separate us. He maintains that studying music provides individuals with critical opportunities to be creative, to develop their independent learning skills, to recognize and analyze patterns, to be self-reflective, and to persevere in overcoming challenges. To listen to Jim talk about the music he loves, and to hear him play, please click on recordings.