James W. Doyle serves as associate professor at Adams State University, principal percussionist of the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra, principal percussionist of the San Juan Symphony, performs with the New Mexico Philharmonic, and tours internationally with the Apricity Trio for flute, clarinet, and marimba. He's performed throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia, and performed and presented at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He’s recorded over 40 albums for Austin, Nashville, and Southwest-based commercial artists, and performs regularly as a contemporary chamber musician throughout the U.S. and Japan. His latest recording with the Apricity Trio, Sandhill Crane was released in December 2018.

Before accepting his position at Adams State University, James served as principal percussionist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West where he spent six years touring, recording, and performing throughout the United States, while maintaining an active freelancing schedule in the San Francisco Bay area. His performances have appeared on PBS, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS as well as numerous NPR broadcasts. He then served six years with the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest in Fort Worth, TX, and the US Air Forces Central Command Band in Doha, Qatar. Prior to his military service, James was a member of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.

James has taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the Australian National Drum and Percussion Camp, Gunma University in Japan, Western State Colorado University, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and has done residencies at over 50 universities and conservatories. He’s currently on the board of directors and faculty of the Mt. Blanca Summer Music Conservatory, is a member of the PAS University Pedagogy Committee, and a board member of the New Works Project—a commissioning organization for new works by emerging and established composers.

His research areas include chamber music settings with silent film, commissioning new works for chamber percussion ensemble and unique chamber orchestration, and the development of equitable pedagogy focused on inclusive excellence. At Adams State University, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in percussion, music business, and world music, and directs the contemporary percussion ensemble, samba band, steel band, and marimba band and serves as Faculty Trustee on the University Board of Trustees.

James has commissioned works by Jennifer Bellor, Juri Seo, inti-figgis-vizueta, Alyssa Weinberg, Caleb Pickering, Molly Joyce, Emma O'Halloran, Jenni Brandon, Molly Herron, Matthew Schildt, Alexis C. Lamb, and Ippo Tsuboi. He's been published in Percussive Notes, Rhythm! Scene, and numerous trade publications and education journals in the U.S. and Australia.

James earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Missouri.

Current Vitae (Fall 2019)