Going to the Chapel

A native of Rochester, New York, James began piano lessons at age 5 with his mother. Later on he studied in a variety of private studios including the Eastman School. After high school, he entered SUNY Fredonia as an organ major, later transferring to Stetson University in Deland FL. While raising a young family, he entered George Peabody Teacher's College in Nashville. Later trained as a Navy broadcast journalist, James spent five years as a classical radio announcer & producer at WPLN. In 1985, he completed a bachelor's degree in church music at Belmont College and returned for a master's in music education, conferred in 1991. He has worked for local churches of every denomination (as well as a synagogue) and is currently choirmaster-organist at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Franklin. James is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Tennessee Wedding and Events Specilaists Association. In addition to his work at Belmont Academy and church, he works full-time for Vanderbilt in the Biochemistry Department, where he spends most of his time working on his websie (http://88keys.8m.net). James and his wife of 35 years, Carol, have two grown children, Benny and Becky, and live in Brentwood.