bio

James May (b. 1994, Pittsburgh) creates music that focuses on texture, space, and agency. He’s interested in the ways that notation dictates power dynamics, extended vocal technique, and literature. James is also a conductor, founding member of AmiEnsemble, and contributing writer for icareifyoulisten.com. Recent projects and collaborations include anthrophony for Western Carolina University's percussion studio, sculpture vii for Dutch trio Trompo, sound design for University College Cork’s final year production Goblin Market and Southeastern Louisiana University's What Lies Inside, various free improvisation performances with and without electronics.

James’ work has been performed and recorded by Chamber Choir Ireland and Paul Hillier, JACK Quartet, Echéa Quartet, the San Francisco Choral Artists, Longleash, and the University of Louisville Orchestra and Collegiate Chorale. He was the winner of the 2019 Seán Ó Riada Composition Contest for street after street alike, the 2019 West Cork Chamber Music Festival Contest for Sculpture VI, the San Francisco Choral Artists' 2017 New Voices Project for The Garden ("arresting… intricate and intense” – San Francisco Classical Voice), and composed Zaira and Irene for the 2018 Huang Orchestra Commission from the University of Louisville. He has had lessons with Ann Cleare, Andrew Norman, Eve Beglarian, Bent Sørensen, Ted Hearne, Anthony Cheung, and Amy Williams.

James was one of 12 recipients of the 2018-19 George J. Mitchell Scholarship, funding an MA in Experimental Sound Practice at University College Cork where he studied with John Godfrey, Jeff Weeter, and Karen Power. He previously studied with Steve Rouse and Kimcherie Lloyd as a Bomhard Fellow at the University of Louisville, and Jack Gallagher and Lisa Wong at The College of Wooster.