A native Coloradoan, James Baker received his Bachelor of Music degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, concurrently earning a BA in Computer Science.  In order to further pursue his musical aspirations James moved to Boston where he earned a Master of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory.

As a freelance hornist in the Boston area James is a member of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, the Hillyer Festival Orchestra, the Simon Sinfonietta, and the Andover Chamber Players.  Mr. Baker has appeared as a featured soloist with the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra and the Sangre de Cristo Chamber Players.  Additionally James enjoys performance credits with ensembles as varied as the Albany Symphony, the Vermont Symphony, the Worcester Symphony, The Cambridge Chorale, The Newton Choral Society, the North Shore Philharmonic, the Chatham Chorale, and Symphony by the Sea.

A life long advocate of chamber music, and equally comfortable in large and small ensembles, James quickly found a niche with the Bala Brass. He brings a desire to promote not only chamber music but music and the arts in general to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. He finds the educational clinics conducted by Bala to be a wonderful opportunity to enhance the lives of young musicians everywhere and to plant the seeds of music for future generations.  Mr. Baker keeps a small private horn studio.

When not playing horn, James enjoys skiing, fishing, studying for his PPL, spending time with his family, brewing beer, roasting coffee, and restoring classic cars.