Dr. Stephen James currently serves as an Orchestra Director in the Conway (AR) Public Schools. His responsibilities include leading the Simon and Courtway Middle School Orchestras and assisting with the Freshman and High School Orchestras. Dr. James also serves as Adjunct Instructor of Trumpet at both Arkansas Tech University (ATU) and Hendrix College. Having previously earned Bachelor of Arts (Virginia Tech), Master of Music (Western Michigan University), and Doctor of Music (Michigan State University) degrees all in Trumpet Performance, Dr. James then completed a Bachelor of Music Education degree (University of Central Arkansas) to increase his versatility as a teacher.
As a performer, Dr. James is active as an orchestral musician. Currently, He is also a founding member and Principal Trumpet of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra based in Branson, Missouri. In addition to his orchestral activities, Dr. James plays cornet with the award-winning Natural State Brass Band in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a chamber musician, Dr. James performs as part of the James Duo with tubist Gretchen Renshaw James. As a soloist, he has recently performed with the Virginia Tech Symphony Band, Natural State Brass Band and Hendrix College Wind Ensemble, competed in the North American Brass Band Association Solo Competition, and given recitals in Arkansas, Louisiana, and at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. As a teacher, Dr. James serves on the faculty of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. In addition to his work at Blue Lake, ATU and Hendrix College, Dr. James also serves as a freelance teacher throughout the central Arkansas region, giving master classes at area schools and teaching private lessons to both high school and collegiate students.
As a performer, Dr. James is active as an orchestral musician. Currently, He is also a founding member and Principal Trumpet of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra based in Branson, Missouri. In addition to his orchestral activities, Dr. James plays cornet with the award-winning Natural State Brass Band in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a chamber musician, Dr. James performs as part of the James Duo with tubist Gretchen Renshaw James. As a soloist, he has recently performed with the Virginia Tech Symphony Band, Natural State Brass Band and Hendrix College Wind Ensemble, competed in the North American Brass Band Association Solo Competition, and given recitals in Arkansas, Louisiana, and at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. As a teacher, Dr. James serves on the faculty of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. In addition to his work at Blue Lake, ATU and Hendrix College, Dr. James also serves as a freelance teacher throughout the central Arkansas region, giving master classes at area schools and teaching private lessons to both high school and collegiate students.