Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. James studied with Robert Pangborn, Sal Rabbio, & Tom Schneller through High School. He received a BA in Music Education from Michigan State University, studying with Charles Owen. He went on to receive his MA in Music Education Supervision from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. James was a public school Music Director for 11 years. He focuses on professional recording and performing percussionist. Currently Jame can be found playing with The Piedmont Wind Symphony, Mirage, Current Events, & The Dead Parrot Society. He is director of the North Carolina Percussion Orchestra and Administrator for The North Carolina School of Percussion.
TEACHING STYLE
Curriculum driven program taking students from where they are to defined levels of achievement that are in line with the music grading levels used in US band, orchestra and jazz band publication. Students progress through a customized combination of playing, listening, and viewing of curated historical and instructional material, while being supplied with live performing opportunities in the community to produce excellent musicians at all levels.