James Kranz, co-director
An active music educator and trumpeter, Mr. Kranz is the Instrumental Music Director at Atholton Elementary School in Columbia, MD, teaching both band and orchestra. He is also an adjunct faculty member and brass instructor at Stevenson University and a frequent guest clinician for elementary, middle and high school band programs in the area. He also maintains a private trumpet studio based in Ellicott City, MD.
After graduating from Westminster High School, Mr. Kranz attended the Peabody Conservatory where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in wind conducting. He has studied trumpet with Joe Burgstaller, Langston Fitzgerald, René Shapiro and Edward Hoffman and conducting with Dr. Harlan Parker.
He has performed as both a player and conductor with the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Peabody Chamber Winds. In 2012 he conducted a performance of Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, featuring members of the National Symphony Orchestra and students from the Peabody Conservatory.
In addition to his trumpet and teaching interests, Mr. Kranz enjoys drumming, playing basketball, and watching the Orioles at Camden Yards.
After graduating from Westminster High School, Mr. Kranz attended the Peabody Conservatory where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in wind conducting. He has studied trumpet with Joe Burgstaller, Langston Fitzgerald, René Shapiro and Edward Hoffman and conducting with Dr. Harlan Parker.
He has performed as both a player and conductor with the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Peabody Chamber Winds. In 2012 he conducted a performance of Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, featuring members of the National Symphony Orchestra and students from the Peabody Conservatory.
In addition to his trumpet and teaching interests, Mr. Kranz enjoys drumming, playing basketball, and watching the Orioles at Camden Yards.