James V. Masanotti

Growing up near Charleston, South Carolina, James began his lifelong interest in music in middle school, where he began singing in the school choir and playing violin in the school orchestra. While completing his high school studies at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, James was recognized for his talent by being selected for leadership roles in several ensembles. He was also selected for the honorary Senior Showcase concert twice.

After high school, James attended Furman University in Greenville, SC and earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance in 2015, under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Joiner. During his time at Furman, James was a part of several scholarship ensembles, including the Hartness and Gladden string quartets, the Furman Symphony Orchestra. At the same time, James was taking composition lessons from Dr. Mark Kilstofte and Dr. Dan Koppelman. James was selected twice for the university's Spring Honors Recital, where a small pool of outstanding students are nominated to perform by music faculty: once for composition and once for violin performance. 

During his sophomore year, he began taking jazz improvisation lessons on the violin and performing in various jazz ensembles. He also earned a scholarship to sing and play guitar in the school’s Chapel Worship Ensemble and performed in the Phi Mu Alpha Men’s Choir.

After graduating cum laude from Furman, James continued his education at the University of Houston under Dr. Kirsten Yon. There he performed with the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Moores School Opera Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. He earned his Master of Music degree in Violin Performance in 2017, and after living and working there for another seven years moved with his wife Hannah to Tennessee in April 2024. 

He now performs in the Middle Tennessee area with ensembles like the Cumberland Wind Project, the St. George’s Episcopal Church Choir, the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orchestra Kentucky.