James McFadden-Talbot is the Assistant Concertmaster of the Louisville Orchestra, where he has performed as a soloist in Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto and played a concertmaster solo alongside Yo-Yo Ma. He actively participates in outreach initiatives, including performances for young audiences and student composer premieres.

James studied violin under Midori Goto at the University of Southern California, where he won the 2018 Bach Solo Competition, and earned a Master of Music from the Hamburg Hochschule für Musik und Theater with Tanja Becker-Bender. He has served as concertmaster with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and participated in festivals such as Aspen and Banff.

In addition to his violin career, James is also a composer, with his most recent commission premiered by the NouLou Chamber Players. He performs regularly in chamber ensembles and music festivals, including the Derby City Chamber Music Festival and Duo Criquet.

What do you enjoy most about performing with the Louisville Orchestra?  

I love the thrill of bringing music to life after all the hard work that goes into preparing it. There's something incredibly satisfying about feeling everything click on stage and connecting with both the orchestra and the audience. It’s a rewarding experience to see all the effort and collaboration transform into something truly dynamic and alive.

In what ways do you think the Louisville Orchestra can make the greatest impact on our community?

I believe the Louisville Orchestra can make the greatest impact by inspiring the next generation, especially through performances for young audiences and featuring student compositions. As a former young composer fellow with the LA Philharmonic, I know firsthand how life-changing it is to have your music brought to life by professional musicians. It was incredibly inspiring and reinforced my passion for music. I want to help provide that same transformative experience for young composers and listeners here. I still remember attending concerts as a young person that moved me deeply and sparked my desire to become a musician. By creating those moments for others, we can shape the future of our community through music.