James S. Edwards - Profile
Jim presents encouraging and uplifting messages for those from twelve to twenty-two to reverse the effects of negative, cutting and demeaning comments.
Mr. Edwards, father of four with ten grandchildren, earned a B.M.E. from Illinois Wesleyan University and a M.M. from Northern Illinois.
He taught choral and general music in suburban Chicago junior high school for 6 years and choral music in high schools for 7 years.
An innovative educator, Jim started the first swing choir, the first jazz choir, and one of the first show choirs in all of Illinois.
Concurrently, he was a Chicago’s Rush Street entertainer; directed the 100+ member youth “Sing-Out Lombard” meeting; and directed/owned The Edwardians, a sixteen-member show group. For 14 years The Edwardians toured nationally, performing for groups as diverse as the Delaware State Fair and IBM Denver.
Entering sales and marketing in the audio industry, he taught proper use of microphones and sound systems to band and choral teachers. He made presentations at the American Choral Directors Association, National Jazz Educators, Midwest Band Clinic, Texas Music Educators Association, The Fred Waring Clinic, and Soundsation Vocal Jazz Workshop, among others. He has published numerous articles for educator journals.
Jim has been a substitute teacher in Illinois, Indiana and, since 2004, in Missouri. He currently holds Missouri Substitute Certificate and Family Care Safety Registrant.
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Concurrently, he was a Chicago’s Rush Street entertainer; directed the 100+ member youth “Sing-Out Lombard” meeting; and directed/owned The Edwardians, a sixteen-member show group. For 14 years The Edwardians toured nationally, performing for groups as diverse as the Delaware State Fair and IBM Denver.
Entering sales and marketing in the audio industry, he taught proper use of microphones and sound systems to band and choral teachers. He made presentations at the American Choral Directors Association, National Jazz Educators, Midwest Band Clinic, Texas Music Educators Association, The Fred Waring Clinic, and Soundsation Vocal Jazz Workshop, among others. He has published numerous articles for educator journals.
Jim has been a substitute teacher in Illinois, Indiana and, since 2004, in Missouri. He currently holds Missouri Substitute Certificate and Family Care Safety Registrant.
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In 2018 he received the Francis Howell School District Superintendent’s Certificate and the “Hero Award” from “Give Kids A Smile” (fighting dental disease for under-privileged children). During 2017 Jim entertained over 110 times as a musician and magician. He is a member of the Society of American Magicians.