An energetic and passionate flutist and teacher, Dr. James Thompson has performed on three continents in diverse venues ranging from LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall to medieval Italian churches to the Great Wall of China. James has been named a winner of the National Flute Association’s Graduate Research and Masterclass competitions, and has appeared as a concerto soloist with the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Southern Illinois Symphony, the Ball State University Symphony Orchestra, and the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra.
An avid chamber musician, James performs in a duo with his father and first flute teacher, Paul. The duo has been invited to perform at the National Flute Association convention and the College Music Society National Conference. James performed at a further four National Flute Association conventions as a member of the flute ensemble, “Calliope,” has also performed with the Southern Illinois University Faculty Quintet and the Ball State Graduate Wind Quintet. During the summers, James keeps an active schedule performing and teaching in music festivals such as Domaine Forget, the Southern Illinois Music Festival, Festival Suoni d’Abruzzo (Italy), the Southeast Orchestra & Chamber Music Institute, and the Fresno Opera & Orchestra Summer Academy.
James resides in Muncie, Indiana, where he is adjunct Music History faculty at Ball State University. He also serves as Education Coordinator for Orchestra Indiana and maintains an active flute studio. James’s degrees are from Ball State University (D.A.), Illinois State University (M.M.), and Truman State University (B.M.).