James Garand

James is a passionate music educator and cellist who believes in the power of ensemble music to bring young musicians together. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of North Florida and is a certified educator through the Florida Department of Education.

James currently serves as the General Music and Strings Teacher for grades K–8 at St. Johns Classical Academy in Orange Park. During his time there, he has worked to expand opportunities for young musicians, establishing an after-school strings program for students in grades 3–6 and creating and launching a middle school strings program for grades 7–8.

His passion for ensemble music began as a young musician in the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, where he discovered how meaningful it was to make music alongside other young musicians who shared his enthusiasm. That experience helped shape him as both a musician and educator, and he looks forward to fostering that same sense of excitement, connection, and belonging for the next generation of musicians in the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras.

James is no stranger to JSYO, having first joined Foundation Strings as a volunteer in 2022. He has since served as a Foundation Cello Sectional Coach and Foundation Strings Substitute Conductor, giving him the opportunity to support young musicians as they develop their skills and experience ensemble playing.

Outside of music, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two sons, watching soccer, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.