James Rhodes

Violist James Rhodes is a sought-after performer and music educator. He performs in concerts throughout the United States and Europe. He has studied with teachers Dr. David Dalton (BYU), Dr. Minor Wetzel (Los Angeles Philharmonic) and Mark Jackobs (Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Institute of Music). He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, and a master’s degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. While attending CIM, James received his training in the Suzuki method with Kimberly Meier-Sims. He currently performs as a member of the Cleveland-based BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, and No Exit, Cleveland’s premier new music ensemble. As a member of No Exit, James has premiered and performed several works for viola. Of his solo playing, Jarrett Hoffmann of Cleveland Classical wrote, “Violist James Rhodes impresses with his clean technique and keen, confident expression.” James performs regularly in a variety of settings and ensembles such as the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Urban Troubadour and the Erie Philharmonic. James is also a co-founder of DadBand, a two-viola two-cello crossover string quartet. In 2024, James was appointed as faculty at Kent State University, in Kent, OH. In 2008 James began his work as an educator and served on the faculty of Timberline Middle School in Alpine, Utah where he directed the orchestra program. He has been a faculty member of The Cleveland Music School Settlement where he taught viola/violin, and directed youth orchestras. He currently is the music director at Hudson Montessori School in Hudson, Ohio where he founded and currently directs the Conservatory of Music, teaches Suzuki viola and violin, directs ensembles and teaches classroom music to students ages 3-14. He is the co-founder and co-director Conservatory of Music at Hudson Montessori School’s Chamber Intensive. James has been an adjudicator at regional student solo events and competitions and maintains a private studio of 40 students. James enjoys sports, the outdoors, history and spending time with his wife Carrie, and their four children Rebecca, James, David and Isaac.