James Armstrong has performed and taught on five continents as a solo artist and clinician for Yamaha, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Latin Percussion companies, as well as a member of the internationally acclaimed Marassa Duo, the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, and several other notable artists. He has recorded on the RCA/DMP, Albany Records, Tinkle Tone, I-Town, and C. Alan record labels, and is a published composer and author through Drop6 Media, Carl Fischer Publications, and House Panther Press.
Mr. Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music degree in percussion performance (ethnomusicology and jazz emphasis) from Bowling Green State University, and is a highly respected performer, teacher, and author on the subjects of West African and Caribbean sacred and secular music.
Mr. Armstrong is Instructor of Percussion at Millersville University where he teaches applied percussion, directs the Millersville University Percussion Ensemble, teaches percussion education classes, teaches West African music and dance, coordinates the Millersville and Music For Everyone “Music in the Schools” program, and serves as Artistic Director for the MU Summer Music Camps. Mr. Armstrong is also President of the Percussive Arts Society Pennsylvania State Chapter, and remains extremely active as a freelance percussionist throughout the greater Philadelphia and New York City Regions.
Hobbies of his include coaching and playing hockey, photography, and spending time with his son Steven.
