James Stewart is a conductor, composer, educator, and performer whose work spans musical traditions, genres and communities. He serves as Music Director of the Burlington Choral Society, Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, and Rock City Chorus in Barre, Vermont. He is also a mentor with Music-COMP, Vermont’s online music mentoring program, and a frequent collaborator with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Previously, James served as Composer-in-Residence with the Solaris Vocal Ensemble and as a classical music host on Vermont Public.
As a composer and arranger, James delights in exploring the space between musical worlds, writing everything from music for rock bands to works for symphony orchestra and everything in between. Whether developing a new composition, reimagining a familiar favorite or bringing a choir to life, he is drawn to music’s ability to connect people, challenge expectations and tell stories that words alone cannot.
As an educator, James is guided by a simple but powerful conviction: everyone is musical. Through teaching, mentoring, and collaborative music-making, he encourages people of all ages and experience levels to discover their own musical instincts, ask questions, take creative risks and find their place in the wider musical community.
James holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Composition from Toccoa Falls College, a Master of Music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.
He lives in Colchester, Vermont, with his partner, four children, two dogs, and one decidedly moody cat. When he isn’t directing a choir, he’s probably creating something new, breathing life into an old favorite, or finding his next musical adventure.