Dr. James Predovich
James began his musical journey in the 3rd grade on violin in the Phoenix Union School District and was the cellist for Ms. Chang’s string quartet in the 6th grade. James entered into band instruments in 4th grade with his first wind instrument, the alto clarinet, later to be followed by the baritone saxophone in the 5th grade which he pushed home in an abandoned shopping cart. James has swapped one cumbersome instrument for an even more inconvenient one and no longer uses abandoned shopping carts to transport his instrument.
James enjoys a varied career concertizing throughout the Midwest, teaching privately, and most recently, developing pedagogical books for beginning harpists under the age of 10 (in addition to keeping the Oxford comma alive and well).
In partial fulfillment for his DMA, James has recently completed a set of 6 pedagogical books geared towards beginning harpists under the age of 10, entitled, “The Adventures of Holly Harper”.
The books total 262 pages of work for the beginning harpist broken down into 6 books: solo, theory, note identification, technique, ear training, and the lesson book.
Sketches for the “Adventures of Holly Harper” were provided by Karine Makartichan of US Illustrations.
His performing has taken him around the Southwest while playing with such orchestras as the Phoenix Symphony Guild, as well as overseas completing a British Isles tour including stops in Dublin, London, and Wales. Most recently James was soloist with the Columbus State Community College band conducted by Thomas Lloyd, featuring the Debussy Danses sacreé et profane arranged for band by John Lloyd.
James has collaborated with Dr. Lisa Jelle from Capital Conservatory of Music performing the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp in its entirety , once for his Master’s recital then as part of Dr. Jelle’s faculty recital series.
James has also shared the stage with Dr. Nicole Charles in an “East meets West” faculty recital at Muskingum University featuring the works of Sung: Dance of the White Lotus Under the Silver Moon and Haro no Umi: 3 Japanese Folk Songs.
Completing the trinity of Flautist collaborations, James has also shared the stage with Dr. Erin Helgeson Torres as part of her faculty recital series at Ohio Northern University featuring the Persichetti Serenade No. 10 for Flute and Harp.
Pictured top left: Dr. Lisa Jelle, middle: Dr. Nicole Charles, bottom right: Dr. Erin Helgeson Torres
From 2010-2015 James was co-creator of the JplaysH duo with hornist Dr. Jenna McBride-Harris. Together they concertized throughout Ohio giving over 20 recitals, presenting at Ohio University and College of Mount St. Joseph, as well as performing community outreach at the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House. Due to the unique instrumental combination, James often arranged the works performed by the duo.
His exceptional ensemble skills, musicality, and personable nature have made him a first pick for area collaborations which have included the Fantasticks! for the Otterbein Summer Theater Program and King Ave Players. James was also the featured soloist with he Capital Pride Band featuring the works of Fauré Impromptu Op. 86 and Samuel Hazo: Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song for concert band and harp. James has also collaborated with a number of choirs such as the Delaware Community Choir and Columbus State Choir, featuring the works of Britten: A Ceremony of Carols and various works by Rutter. Additionally, James has been broadcast on WOSU in conjunction with the Lessons and Carols service at First Congregational Church as well as being featured three times in the Madison Press.
James is currently Principal Harp with the Central Ohio Symphony and served as Acting Principal with the Mansfield Symphony from 2018-2022. He also plays regularly with the Lima, Springfield , Perrysburg, and Butler symphonies. In addition to his performing obligations, James has served as the piano and harp divisional judge for the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra Young Artist Competition since 2014.
In addition to his performing obligations, James is an avid educator. Teaching is truly a privilege and honor, one that is not taken lightly. With a thriving studio James instructs students in Columbus. Helping children (and adults!) reach their fullest potential is extremely rewarding and fulfilling as a teacher. James is devoted to making sure every student receives a musical education rich in history and theory yielding a more rounded musical student. Student accomplishments include placing 1st and 2nd place for school and district wide competitions in musical composition as well as receiving superior ratings at OMEA Solo and Ensemble.
James is currently on faculty at North Central State College where he is the Course Coordinator for the Music and First Year Experience courses. His passion for teaching has garnered him the Canvas artist award 2016-2022. James also received the North Central State College Trio award in recognition for his work in going above and beyond for the Trio student population. James was the keynote speaker for the North Central State Trio Banquet awards ceremony in 2019. James and his student success organization was also the recipient of a special type-B grant in addition to being awarded the Curtis Miles award for chapter excellence.
Equally at home in the conference arena, James has presented for the National Organization for Student Success Ohio chapter (NOSS-OH) where he has given lecture presentations entitled: “Gradus ad Parnassum: Fostering Student Success, Increasing Retention, and Building Self-Efficacy” and “Goal Setting: Moving Beyond the SMART Paradigm, Recalibrating the Application, and Dispelling Common Myths”. James has also presented at Heartland CRLA, OCLCA, TxNCLCA, and Bucks County Community College Faculty of the Future.
Passionate about service work, James has served as member-at-large for the Faculty Caucus at North Central State in addition to the FYEX Course Coordinator rep for the Student Success Committee. James has also served as a member-at-large for the National Organization for Student Success Ohio chapter (NOSS: OH) where he is currently the chapter president.
James has studied with inspiring musical artists such as: Jeanne Norton, principal harpist of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Gillian Benet Sella from the Cincinnati Symphony (formerly of the Israel Philharmonic), and Patricia Masri-Fletcher formerly of the Detroit Symphony. James holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he is also obtained his Doctorate of Musical Art’s degree with a cognate in music theory.
