James Townsend

Head of Percussion

Email: james.townsend@stleonards.vic.edu.au

James began the study of percussion at the age of seven. He completed his HSC in 2010 and moved to Sydney the following year to study a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with teachers Daryl Pratt, Rick Miller and Mark Robinson. During his time in Sydney, James performed with various orchestras and ensembles at university and community-based orchestras across the city. After graduating from university, James moved to Melbourne to study at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2015. At ANAM, he had the opportunity to perform under some of the world’s best conductors, such as Simone Young and Nicolas Carter. He was also exposed to chamber groups such as Synergy Percussion, Elision and Ensemble Modern, which are at the forefront of contemporary music. Since leaving ANAM in 2017, James has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.