School of Music

Bio

MM, Cleveland Institute of Music
BM, Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music

James Ackley has studied trumpet with James Darling (Cleveland Orchestra, retired), Michael Sachs (Cleveland Orchestra, principal), Mary Squire (Ohio Chamber Orchestra, retired) and Eugene Blee (Cincinnati Symphony, retired). He currently holds the position of principal trumpet with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. Ackley has also performed with the Charleston Symphony (substitute principal), Moscow State Radio Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and the Bogota Philharmonic, among others. As a soloist, he has performed in more than 25 countries and is also a member of the award winning Bala Brass Quintet. Ackley has recorded several solo CDs: Recital Music for Trumpet (Claronade Records 2005), Lirico Latino (MSR Classics 2007), Tromba Mundi (MSR CLassics 2009), Gabriel (Beauport Classics 2010), Eternal Source of Light Divine (Accord Records 2011) and New American Music for Trumpet (Beauport Classics 2012). He has commissioned well over 40 works for trumpet, including an opera and a ballet in which he also had world premiere recordings. Mr. Ackley is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician.