A native of Long Beach California, James discovered the bassoon in the seventh grade. He received a Bachelors of Music from the University of Southern California and also studied at The Juilliard School in New York City.  Prior to joining the Omaha Symphony, James was the Principal Bassoonist for the Oklahoma Symphony.  As Principal Bassoonist of the Omaha Symphony James has been a featured soloist on several occasions, most recently on the 2014 Vivaldi Spectacular, performing Vivaldi's E Minor concerto. Jim also serves on the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and is a founding member of the group Bassoons across Nebraska.

 

 

"It’s great to see the response when someone really hears the bassoon

for the first time - I feel like I’m passing the Olympic torch." 

- Jim Compton