Private Voice & Acting Coaching

JJHS

Jonathan James

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Jonathan James (JJ) – B.A. Vocal Education – is a Chicago-based vocal/acting coach, actor, musician, director, music director and producer with over 30 years of experience. JJ coaches clients in the theatre, film, and television industries all over the country and world from New York to Houston, Miami, to L.A. He even works with a student in the Middle East. JJ’s clients have achieved many accolades including:

  • 2024 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award (IHSAMTA) for Best Actor in a Musical

  • 2025 IHSMTA Runner-Up for Best Actor in a Musical

  • 2023 Heartstring Award for Most Meaningful Performance by a Young Person in a Male role

  • a Lou Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

This year, one client received a full tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music for contemporary vocal performance, and another client received a $130K scholarship to The Theatre School at DePaul University. Others have made it into some of the most competitive universities and conservatories in the country.

Jonathan served as the Youth Vocal and Acting Coach for Broadway in Chicago’s Children of Eden at the Cadillac Palace and recently served as vocal director for Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Point2Point's production of Hunchback of Notre Dame. Jonathan has music directed dozens of shows and recently directed both Prodigal Son and The Outsiders at The Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture. He is currently producing and overseeing a short film called Dolonia, a project that his on-camera clients are creating. Playbill recently published an exclusive article about him as an up-and-coming Chicago director, producer, and coach. He serves as the Music Director for District 200. Jonathan is the Executive Director and co-founder of JK Entertainment. Jonathan co-founded the Chicagoland Theatre Fund and coaches through his studio - Jonathan James Studio. Jonathan’s coaching and directing is expanding internationally, including discussions to direct and teach in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon this summer. Outside of theatre, JJ enjoys performing music across the Chicagoland area, both solo and with a band of his students called WOOF!