James O’Banion received his formal education from Washington State
University (Bachelor of Music Education) and Indiana University (Masters in Trumpet Performance with Distinction.)
He has been a public school instrumental music educator (14 years); a public school Associate Principal (12 years) Director of Fine and Performing Arts (7years); Principal of a Vancouver School of Arts and Academics – a nationally recognized school of excellence (10 yers); Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at Lewis & Clark College, spanning 3 decades and recently became University of Portland and Lower Columbia College’s Adjunct Professor of Trumpet. During his teaching career, several of his students have pursued an advanced degree in Trumpet Performance and are currently engaged as professional musicians or educators throughout the United States and Europe.
James is often invited to adjudicate trumpet competitions as well as perform as a freelance artist. While trumpet performance and teaching are of primary professional importance to him, he maintains an active schedule volunteering his time sharing his brass expertise in local High School instrumental music programs.
