Equally at home as a soloist, collaborator, presenter, and teacher, Dr. James Palmer is a dynamic pianist based in Houston, Texas.

Described as “one of those artists who can make classical music such great fun” (Sedona Red Rock News), James performs across the United States and abroad as a soloist and chamber musician. His broad musical appetite has led to a diverse performing career, ranging from traditional recital performances to innovative projects featuring new music. Recent appearances and collaborations have included the Piano on the Rocks International Festival, the Los Angeles Scriabin Festival, Music in Context, Musiqa, and many more.

James is the founder and artistic director of Point of Departure: Houston’s Classical Music Variety Show, which will launch in fall 2026. The series will feature Houston’s finest musicians in eclectic variety show-style programs, complete with costumes, skits, and more. Check back soon for more information! This series is generously supported by a SACI Grant from the Houston Arts Alliance.

A noted interpreter of the music of Alexander Scriabin, James has launched many special Scriabin-related projects, including web series, recitals, and more. James sits on the board of the Scriabin Society of America, which regularly organizes performance events and produces scholarly publications.

James is a Lecturer at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he teaches Master’s-level Piano Literature; he is also a faculty instructor on the Shepherd School Preparatory Program. During the summer, he leads the Summer Piano Intensive at the AFA Texas Summer Music Festival in Houston, TX. During his doctorate, James held a Teaching Fellowship at the Shepherd School of Music.

James completed his DMA at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Robert Roux. James also holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with legendary musicians Menahem Pressler and Emile Naoumoff. As a pre-college student, he studied with pianist-composer Sandrine Erdely-Sayo in his native Philadelphia, PA.