Mingjia

James Fernando began his music exploration at an early age. Playing classical piano at the age of five. It was in middle school that his first exposure to jazz transpired. The connection was immediate. Working tirelessly to develop his skills Fernando received awards from both Downbeat Magazine and the National Young Arts Foundation and was nominated for the Jazz Fellowship Awards of the American Pianists Association. He was also selected for the prestigious Jazz Band of America and Berklee Summer Jazz Workshop. Fernando then attended Berklee College of Music on scholarship, where he graduated summa cum laude after only three years of study.