A nationally-recognized conductor and concert organist, James Walker entertains and enlightens audiences throughout the United States, and his solo recitals are broadcast on National Public Radio. Winner of the prestigious Ruth and Clarence Mader National Organ-Playing Competition in 1986, he is a featured soloist at Bach festivals and regional and national music conventions.

In addition to solo and chamber music recitals as pianist and organist, James maintains an active teaching schedule as well as guest accompanist and guest conductor appearances for special events and consulting in church music.

Walker enjoyed a long and fruitful tenure of 34 years, leading the music department at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena. Under his direction, the two 55-voice adult choirs premiered numerous works by outstanding Los Angeles-based composers and performed for local and national meetings of the American Choral Directors Association, the Association of Anglican Musicians and the American Guild of Organists.

Performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic included 2005 and 2006 holiday concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In 2012, LA Phil Music Director Gustavo Dudamel invited the combined choirs to perform Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand.” The All Saints choirs were the only church-based ensembles joining community and professional choruses for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Previously, James was College Organist and Instructor of Organ at Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1981 to 2004. He was Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Bach Festival 2014.

Walker holds both undergraduate and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern California School of Music. He studied organ with Marcia Hannah Farmer, Ladd Thomas and Cherry Rhodes. His conducting coaches have been Thomas Somerville, Leo Nestor, James Vail, William Schaefer, and with Helmuth Rilling as a masterclass conductor at Oregon Bach Festival.