Biography

Appointed to the position of Piccolo with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, James began his tenure with the DSO in the Fall of 2022. He previously served as acting Assistant Principal Flute/Piccolo of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Canada) for the 2019-2020 season. He has performed as guest principal flute with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony, and the Modesto Symphony, and has additionally performed with the Fort Worth, Indianapolis, and Canton Symphony Orchestras. Summer festivals James has appeared in include the Mainly Mozart Festival, Kent/Blossom Music Festival, the Centre d’Arts Orford Festival Orchestra (Canada), the Indiana University Summer Music Academy Festival Orchestra, and the Anatolia College Music Festival (Greece).

As an educator, James teaches as Adjunct Professor of Flute at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of Music. He previously acted as Assistant Director of the Jacobs School of Music Flute Academy at Indiana University-Bloomington, and also served on the faculty of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. James has worked in educational outreach with organizations including Art of Èlan and Villa Musica, providing musical opportunities to underserved public schools communities in the greater San Diego area.

James received a Bachelor of Music at Indiana University studying with Thomas Robertello, and a Master of Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with Joshua Smith. Additionally, his principal teachers include Cheryl Bretsnyder, and his parents, both professional woodwind players.

Audio

Private Lessons