Before
AfterBroken guitar neck repair
Structural repair and tidy finishing at the headstock break.
About James
Performer, multi-instrumentalist and instrument specialist.
James Taylor is a Sheffield-based musician whose working life spans live performance, music retail, tuition and instrument repair. The four strands are distinct, but they have grown from the same background: learning, performing, teaching and working with instruments from an early age.
25+ yearsof live performance experience
Millhouses, Sheffieldhome of Elegance Music
5 teaching roomssoundproof and fully equipped
Repair & restorationinstruments, bows and specialist setup work
Performance
More than 25 years of live work.
James has performed at weddings, private functions, corporate events, theatres, festivals, public venues and collaborative projects for more than 25 years. His work ranges from solo electric violin and piano to ensemble playing, arranging, musical direction and multi-instrumental projects.
Theatre work has included first violin for productions of The Phantom of the Opera at Sheffield Cathedral and Les Miserables at The Steamworks, alongside session recording and collaborations with artists in the UK and overseas.
For events, the approach remains practical: choosing repertoire that fits the setting, working comfortably with other suppliers and musicians, and judging when the music should sit in the background or become the focus.
Elegance Music
The Millhouses music shop.
Founded by James and Jemma in 2015, Elegance Music in Millhouses brings together instruments, pianos and keyboards, sheet music, exam material, accessories and gifts.
The shop also provides the physical base for Elegance Music Tuition and for much of James's instrument-repair work, while remaining a separate retail business from Elegance Music LLP.
Elegance Music Tuition
Teaching at the centre and in local schools.
Elegance Music Tuition is operated by Elegance Music LLP, a separate legal business from the retail shop. Tuition is delivered from the Millhouses premises and in local primary and secondary schools.
The centre has five soundproof, fully equipped teaching rooms and supports a broad range of instrumental and vocal tuition. It also serves as the Sheffield London College of Music tuition and examination centre.
The centre provides dedicated teaching rooms for regular one-to-one tuition, practical music-making and exam preparation rather than lessons taking place on the shop floor.
Luthiery & instrument repair
Repair, restoration and setup work.
James's luthiery work centres on bowed-string instruments, from routine setup and adjustment through to substantial repair and full restoration. Work includes violin, viola, cello and double bass, along with bow repairs and rehairs.
Full restorationsBridge making & fittingViolin, cello & double bass bridgesSoundpost workFingerboard dressingGeneral setupStructural repairsVarnish retouchingBow repairsBow rehairs
Beyond bowed strings
Repair work also extends to electronic keyboards and pianos, acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars and other wooden instruments. Woodwind repairs are handled separately by Chris Hamilton Woodwind Repairs, with Elegance Music acting as a convenient drop-off point.
Selected bench work
Examples from the workbench.
A selection of repair, restoration and setup work across violins, bows and guitars.
BeforeAfter
Before
AfterViolin varnish repair
Localised finish work to improve appearance and presentation.
Before
AfterViolin full service
Cleaning, setup and finish revival for a fresher overall presentation.
Before
AfterFingerboard dressing
Levelling and refinement to restore a smoother, more even playing surface.
Bridge making & fitting
Hand-cut bridge work prepared and fitted to suit the instrument.
Bow frog pearl-slide replacement
Fine bow restoration work, including fitting a new pearl slide to the frog.
Woodwind: James does not carry out woodwind repairs. Elegance Music works with Chris Hamilton Woodwind Repairs and can accept instruments as a drop-off point.
Background & career The route from school violin to performance, Elegance Music and luthiery. James began playing violin at seven and has worked across performance, music retail, tuition and instrument repair for more than 25 years. Read James's full history
Enquiries & other work
Choose the right route.
James's performance, retail, tuition and luthiery work are distinct areas, so each has its own enquiry route.
Performance
Book James.
Weddings, private events, corporate occasions, theatre and collaborative work.
Performance enquiriesMusic retail
Elegance Music.
Independent Millhouses music shop for instruments, pianos, sheet music, accessories and gifts.
Visit the shopMusic tuition
Elegance Music Tuition.
Five-room Millhouses tuition centre plus teaching in local primary and secondary schools.
Visit the tuition siteLuthiery & repairs
Instrument & bow work.
Repairs, restoration, setup, bridges, soundposts, bow repairs and rehairs.
Repair enquiries