A native of New York City, composer-conductor James Blachly has been recognized by Chamber Music America as “vigorous and assured” for his first string quartet, and praised by the New York Times for his “thoughtful conception” of Mahler 4.  He is particularly at home writing for strings and the voice.

A graduate of Oberlin College, he studied with Robert Cuckson at Mannes for his MM in Composition.

In 2008, James founded the Sheep Island Ensemble as a vehicle for his work as both composer and conductor. The versatile ensemble gave its inaugural concert in January, 2009 in a concert of nine original compositions, including three world premieres. Most recently, the ensemble formed an ad-hoc all-star orchestra and presented Mahler’s Fourth Symphony at Trinity Church Wall Street in a benefit concert for children in New Orleans. (Read the review here.)

The group takes its name from a tiny island in the Gulf of Maine where there is no running water or electricity, and where time stands still in the experience of deep natural beauty and the gentle light of the Aladdin lamp. It is the intention of the ensemble to perpetuate a similar experience of serenity, beauty, and strength through its musical presentations.

James is dedicated to music education. He currently works as a teaching artist with the New York Philharmonic, and volunteers at the All Souls Episcopal Mission in New Orleans, Louisianna. He loves facilitating the creative musical work of children, and has worked closely with innovators in this field, including Thomas Cabaniss and Jon Deak.