Member Spotlight: James Loughery

We recently sat down with a Cincinnati-based composer and teacher, James Loughery, to learn about his musical journey, unique experiences, and aspirations. His story highlights how a musician’s career can take unexpected and inspiring turns.

What is the most unusual paying job you’ve ever done?

“In the winter of 2020-2021 (during the pandemic), I was commissioned to compose a soundtrack for a short film created by a producer based in Austin, TX. I was asked to write music similar in style to ‘minimalist’ artists like Philip Glass, and for it to sound equal parts ‘strange,’ ‘haunting,’ ‘a little creepy,’ as well as ‘sophisticated’ and ‘clean.’ The film, titled Tesla Psycho, was part of a series of satirical short films combining elements from the 2000 cult-classic film American Psycho with other random quotidian activities (the preceding film in the series, Quarantine Psycho, centered around home activities during the pandemic).

My composition featured characteristic arpeggio configurations of ambiguous tonal harmonies (major/minor morphing to augmented/diminished) moving through various modes and lacking a key center, building to a climactic section during a scene in which the main character, who is test-driving a Tesla Model 3, activates the ‘acceleration boost’ feature on an empty road and bolts forward to 60 mph in under 3 seconds!”

How old were you when you gave your first music lesson?

“I was 23 years old, teaching a few students out of my apartment during a time when I was working odd jobs and studying for my Bachelor’s degree in college.”

How did you come to live in Cincinnati?

“I moved here from Indianapolis to attend CCM for a Master’s degree in composition and jazz, and have been living here ever since.”

Which MTNA or local chapter activities do you find most useful?

“The annual conferences present ideal opportunities for networking and will soon allow me to share my work as arranger of intermediate piano music of all styles (the Jim’s Gems series). The online teacher profile database has also been effective for prospective students and parents to find and contact me.”

Would you rather perform onstage with the lights up or in a small setting close to the audience?

“I enjoy performing for all settings and events. Depending on the audience size, both are appropriate, and there are interesting differences in preparation, mindset, and social connection when comparing both.

When I perform my seasonal solo piano recitals in Cincinnati, live audiences are quite small, but I hope to reach a larger public audience through social media (a necessity nowadays).”

Which foreign country would you most like to visit?

“Countries I have not visited yet which are in my plans are: Ireland, Scotland, England, Iceland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, India, Japan, and South Korea.”

Name one item on your bucket list

“Besides being able to reach a wider audience to share my music with, I hope to play a piano concerto with a live orchestra someday. Concertos at the top of the list would be: the Scriabin’s concerto, the Bartok second concerto, Rhapsody in Blue, the Khachaturian’s concerto.”

This was a fun look into the life of James Loughery and how varied a musician’s path can be. From composing for a quirky short film to dreaming of a concerto performance, his story is a reminder that careers in music rarely follow a straight line.

Thank you, James, for sharing your journey with us.