As a dedicated teacher, active performer, and prolific composer, Dr. James Naigus seeks to inspire the next generation of musicians and creative thinkers through artistic empowerment and enthusiastic innovation. He is currently Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Georgia and hornist with the Georgia Brass Quintet. He has played with the Atlanta Symphony, Wichita Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Brevard Symphony, and Valdosta Symphony. He has toured as a member of the American Chamber Winds and is an in-demand clinician for horn symposia around the country. He is also the co-founder of the Cor Moto Horn Duo, co-creator of The Complete Musician Podcast, and co-editor/contributor of the Creative Hornist and Technique Tips columns in the Horn Call. Dr. Naigus currently serves on the faculty of the prestigious Kendall Betts Horn Camp and the recently founded Heartland Horn Camp.
Dr. Naigus has over seventy published compositions that have been performed by groups such as the New York Philharmonic, festivals such as Music Academy of the West, and are a common fixture in Universities around the world. In addition to self-publishing, his works can be found through Hal Leonard, WaveFront Music, and Veritas Musica Publishing. Dr. Naigus also frequently writes for commercials and film.
Dr. Naigus is a graduate of the University of Iowa (DMA) studying with Jeffrey Agrell. Dr. Naigus also studied horn and composition with Paul Basler at the University of Florida during his master’s degree, and while attending the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree studied with Soren Hermansson, Bryan Kennedy, and Adam Unsworth. Prior appointments include the University of Central Missouri and the University of Iowa.
In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with his dog.
