American Composers Orchestra
Kevin James serves as the Education Director at the American Composers Orchestra since 2010, focusing on enhancing education in NYC's public schools by leveraging the talents of world-class composers. Additionally, Kevin is the Founding Director of Arts and Learning Initiatives, a consultancy that operates at the crossroads of the arts, education, and social services. As a composer and performer with a freelance career starting in 1988, Kevin remains a prominent figure in the New York new music scene, recognized for works such as the "Vanishing Languages Project" and "Guerrilla Fanfare." A recipient of the Japan US Creative Artist Fellowship in 2009, Kevin expanded cultural perspectives through research in Australia and Japan. Previously, as the Director of Arts Learning at the Police Athletic League, Kevin developed several innovative programs that received acclaim. Kevin holds an M.Music in Composition/Performance from Brooklyn College and a dual BofM/BA in Music and Philosophy from DePauw University.
American Composers Orchestra
American Composers Orchestra (ACO), founded in 1977, is dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. With a commitment to diversity, disruption, and discovery, ACO produces concerts, middle school through college composer education programs, and composer advancement programs to foster a community of creators, audiences, performers, collaborators, and funders. American Composers Orchestra (ACO) has premiered works by 800 American composers, including over 350 world premieres and commissioned works. These recordings are available on platforms like ARGO, CRI, ECM, and Nonesuch. Since 1991, ACO’s EarShot has offered new music Readings in NYC, expanding to national Readings in partnership with orchestras nationwide. EarShot has included the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute, CoLABoratory, Pathways, and more. Composers who participated in Readings have won prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer, Grammy, and more. EarShot now includes orchestral readings, CoLABoratory fellowships, consortium commissions, professional development, commissioning/consortia, and, starting in 2023, publishing. EarShot's goal is to broaden the definition and role of the composer and build replicable models for co-created projects between composers, artists, and community partners. ACO's Sonic Spark program has brought composers and musical teaching artists into NYC public schools since 1999, using composition to foster student creativity and achievement. ACO has received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, BMI, and ASCAP.