Tyler James

Biography

Lauded as performing “like a gladiator” and with a “phenomenal color palette” (Radda Rise Competition, 3rd Prize), cellist Tyler Michael James stands out as an ebullient artist of his generation. His is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Red Door Chamber Music. He has performed with several ensembles including A Far Cry, Castle of Our Skins, and is the founding member of the Tristan Trio. He has had the honor of performing as a soloist with Orchestra Flex, the Four Strings Academy Vision Ensemble, and the Hornby Island Music Festival. He has given solo recitals with pianists the likes of Constantine Finehouse and Doris Stevenson. He has had the honor of performing on series including the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, the Naumberg Concert Series, “Date Night” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Bar Harbor Music Festival. A champion of new music, he is a regular a guest artist of the Peabody Conservatory and New York University Composers’ Collective. A passionate educator, he is currently on the faculty of Project Step, the Boston String Academy, the Attacca School of Music, and Four Strings Academy. He has had the pleasure of serving as assistant faculty at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Cello Workshop. Tyler’s principal teachers were Leslie Frittelli, Marion Feldman and Terry King. He did his undergraduate studies at New York University and Master’s and Artist Diploma at the Longy School of Music—all on full scholarships. Tyler is currently an MBA Candidate at the College of William & Mary.

Education:

The College of William and Mary: Williamsburg, VA

Master’s in Business Administration December 2025

The Longy School of Music at Bard College: Boston, MA

Master’s Degree in Music Performance and Artist Diploma May 2023

New York University, Steinhardt School and College of Arts and Sciences: New York

Bachelor’s in Music Performance with minor in Political Science May 2018