Performer Biography

James Thompson

Violinist James Thompson is forging a promising career as a versatile chamber musician, soloist, and music educator. He is currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Jaime Laredo, having studied previously with William Preucil and Paul Kantor.

Mr. Thompson regularly performs for top-tier chamber music festivals around the country, including Music@Menlo, the Perlman Music Program, and the Taos School of Music. He has collaborated in concert with a multitude of artists including David Finckel, Peter Salaff, Roger Tapping, and a variety of musicians from both the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Institute of Music. An advocate for new music, Mr. Thompson has worked alongside composers Keith Fitch, Stephen Hartke, Libby Larsen, and David Rakowski, among others, on performances of their works.

In 2014, Mr. Thompson was selected to solo with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall as part of the ensemble’s education series. He has appeared as a soloist with numerous local orchestras including the CIM orchestra, the Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops, and the Cleveland Philharmonic. Mr. Thompson was invited to perform in Budapest as part of the 1^st Bartok World Competition and in Sendai for the 7^th Sendai International Violin Competition.

Alongside his performance career, James Thompson is forming a strong reputation as a private instructor and chamber music coach. This summer, he will be joining the faculty of Music@Menlo as a coach for the Young Performer’s Program. Mr. Thompson has recently served as a teaching fellow at both the Encore Chamber Music Festival and the Western Reserve Chamber Music Festival. He maintains a private studio and was on faculty at the Aurora School of Music from 2016-2019. He views his work with young people as an immensely important aspect of his calling as a musician, and is grateful to have the opportunity to share with everyone the joy he has found making music.