Biography

Lynelle James’ solo and collaborative piano performances have garnered critical acclaim. Of her performance at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in April, 2023, Alexandra Eames of New York Concert Review writes “Lynelle James is a powerhouse of a pianist, with dexterous ability to execute the glittering scales and double thirds with grace and panache.”

Lauded by the Boston Musical Intelligencer as a “truly fine musician” who “knows how to let the music’s beauty stand out and speak for itself,” Lynelle has performed in major venues internationally and across the U.S, including at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Steinway Hall in New York City.

James’ debut album for solo piano, released May 2017 on the Blue Griffin label, was chosen for the American Record Guide’s Critics' Choice List 2017 by Alan Becker, who praises James for “emotionally and spiritually gut wrenching” and “stirring and technically immaculate” playing, likening her to ‘a young Martha Argerich.’ The CD features works by Beethoven, Schumann, Scriabin and the Ukrainian/Soviet composer Nikolai Roslavets. 

Dr. James received her Doctor of Musical Arts in 2012 from the University of Michigan, studying under noted pianist Arthur Greene and presenting a dissertation on the life and music of the politically repressed Ukrainian/Soviet composer, Nikolai Roslavets. She has done additional study with Hamish Milne of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Julian Martin of The Juilliard School and Thomás Ungár of PianoTexas.

Dedicated to music education, Dr. James held two consecutive teaching fellowships at the University of Michigan, teaching for 5 years at the college level and in the PPLP community music program for children. She has given master classes and solo recitals at colleges and universities across the United States, including a guest artist program “Imagery in 20th Century Music” that was awarded by the Steinway Piano Series at the University of South Florida in 2014.

Lynelle began performing publicly at age 5 as a student of her grandmother, Rolande Young Schrade. An early performance at Lincoln Center led Bernard Holland of the N.Y. Times to praise her for “real tenderness” and “the extroversion of a committed performer.” She studied for 10 years as a full scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music, and appeared on NBC’s Today Show, PM Magazine, Lifetime Television and New Zealand’s network TVI discussing the intertwining of music and family life while growing up in a family of professional pianists and the first family on the Steinway Artist Roster. Lynelle continues to perform during the summers at her the concert series founded by her grandparents in western Massachusetts, Sevenars Concerts.

She currently lives in New York City with her husband and 2 year old son.