flutist Stephanie James

Stephanie was a natural-born perfomer, and she began studying flute at the age of 10. Her first flute teachers were Alan Vogel and Pat Maki of the South Bay Conservatory. In high school she played in wind ensemble, orchestra, and competed in several chamber groups. Her flute teacher at that time was Donna Clark. Then at UCLA, Stephanie studied with Mark Carlson and Gary Gray of the LA Chamber Orchestra. Next, Stephanie encountered jazz great Buddy Collette who took her under his wing and opened her eyes to the beauty and freedom of jazz. She continued to perform with several symphonies in Los Angeles as well as play solo gigs for VIPs including one for Margaret Thatcher. Then Stephanie studied conducting with Francisco Burgos and was asked to conduct the encore performance of "Love Lies Waiting" for the Regina Klenjowski Dance Company at the Ford Amphitheather in 2004. The show was nominated for a Lester Horton award for best original music for choreography. Sensing a natural partnership, Stephanie and the composer of "Love Lies Waiting," Mark Fitchett decided to collaborate to write original jazz-pop tunes to launch Stephanie's solo career into the stratosphere!