James Freeman

Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, James began playing trumpet and drums at an early age participating in concert, jazz, marching and occasional rock bands. After completing a Bachelor and Master of Music degree at Montreal’s McGill University, he embarked on a performing and teaching career. On trumpet, James has performed with ensembles including the Toronto Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, I Musici de Montreal, Washington Bach Consort, Montreal Baroque Orchestra and was a member of the orchestra accompanying the Ontario segment of Diana Krall’s Quiet Nights tour. After finding a deep love of Arabic classical music James began studies with percussion masters Michel Merhej Baklouk and Suleiman Warwar, leading to working with the Arabesque Dance Company, New York Arabic Orchestra, Canadian Arabic Orchestra, and the Hikaya Project with vocalist Murshed Khalid. James has taught trumpet and drums for over 25 years, including 17 seasons at the former Kingsway Conservatory. He has conducted masterclasses and taught at music camps throughout the GTA and was a brass instructor for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio. On both trumpet and drums, James strives to help students find their inner musician and outer rock star!