Makena James is a young organist, carillonneur, and a candidate for the Master of Music degree in organ performance at the USC Thornton School of Music, studying on a full tuition scholarship with Professor Cherry Rhodes and Dr. Ladd Thomas. She also studies carillon with Professor David Christensen at the University of California, Riverside.

She serves as organist and composer in residence at Manhattan Beach Community Church, rings in the LA Bronze handbell ensemble as a substitute and plays continuo for the USC Baroque Sinfonia. As an organ recitalist, she has performed all around the United States, in addition to maintaining a Youtube channel, where she directs the “High Church Orchestra.”

Makena is a prize winner in numerous competitions, including the 2021 Buffalo Chapter Organ Competition and the 2024 Quebec International Music Competition.  Her original composition, “Fallen Star,” won first prize in the Charleston 20th century International Music Competition.

She earned a Colleague certification from the AGO and is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.  I received my bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude in organ performance at Houghton University, where she was the first undergraduate to play organ in the annual homecoming collage concert.