About this Artist

William J. James is Principal Percussion of the St. Louis Symphony. He won the position at the age of 25 while a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. He graduated from the New England Conservatory in 2006 with a Masters of Music and was a student of Will Hudgins of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. James received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Northwestern University in 2004. While attending Northwestern, he studied with Michael Burritt, an active soloist and clinician throughout the country, and James Ross, a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

James is a very active educator in the percussion community. His book The Modern Concert Snare Drum Roll has been met with critical acclaim as a much-needed resource for both teachers and students.

William James proudly uses Zildjian Cymbals, Malletech Sticks and Instruments, Evans Drumheads, and Grover Percussion Products in all of his musical projects and performances.