James Ellis is a cellist from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and has received three music degrees: a Bachelor’s from Western Michigan University, studying with Bruce Uchimura; a Master’s from the University of Georgia, studying with David Starkweather; and a Doctorate from the University of Iowa, studying with Charles Wendt.

 

James has played with 17 professional symphonies in Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina and Iowa. He currently maintains a private studio in Iowa City and teaches at Cornell College. He has served as principal cellist with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, the Southeast Iowa Symphony, the Waverly Community Orchestra, and the Quad-Cities Symphony. James also plays regularly with the Iowa City Community Orchestra and the Iowa City Chamber Singers.

​

​