Hometown:
Brooklyn, NY
Education:
The Juilliard School, Master of Music, 2025
The Juilliard School, Bachelor of Music, 2023
Bio:
James is currently a first year Master’s student at Juilliard studying under Eric Reed. He also completed his undergraduate degree at Juilliard, studying with Erik Ralske. James studied with Michelle Baker at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division, and with Eric Davis at the Brooklyn Conservatory of music. Growing up in NYC, James attended MS 51 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens. He has spent summers at the Brevard, Aspen, and Taipei Music Festivals.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My first time seeing the NY Philharmonic perform.
Who are your all-time favorite composers and/or pieces? Why?
The operas of Puccini and Strauss.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I bought a new horn in March this year – a Yamaha 861.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Reading the Dune series by Frank Herbert.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose the NRO because I wanted to play in orchestra with amazing musicians while being surrounded by nature.