Courtney Rowley has been Director of Choirs at Ballard High School since 2007. Originally from Michigan,
she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Choral Music Education from the University of Michigan.
During her time at the University of Michigan, Ms. Rowley studied voice with Bothell native Freda Herseth, and conducting with
Paul Rardin and Jerry Blackstone. She sang frequently with the University Choir
and Chamber Choir, including performances of Handel's Messiah at Orchestra Hall
with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the premier of a Susan Botti original
work at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Rowley also appeared on the 2005 Grammy winning
Classical album of the year, William Bolcom's "Songs of Innocence and
Experience."
Ms. Rowley previously taught in both the Howell Public Schools in Howell, Michigan,
and Franklin Pierce Schools outside of Tacoma. She is thrilled to be at Ballard High
School.
Michael James has been at Ballard High School since 2004 and teaches the Symphonic Band,
Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Percussion, Jazz Band 1, and MIDI computer music class. He also directs
the pit orchestra for the spring musical and supervises coaches for Jazz Band 2, Chamber Orchestra,
and Drumline.
The award-winning BHS Marching band, under Mr. James’ direction, regularly travels to Wenatchee,
Victoria BC, and California and has been seen in many local parades and events including a TV commercial
for Bartell Drugs.
Prior to coming to Ballard High School, Mr. James worked as a graduate conducting assistant at Truman
State University in Kirksville, Missouri and as a junior high band director in the Federal Way School District.
Mr. James received the Master of Arts in Instrumental Conducting from Truman State University, where he
studied conducting with Dan Peterson and saxophone with Randall Smith, and his Bachelor of Music Education
from Pacific Lutheran University where he studied saxophone with Mark Taylor and voice with Marcia Baldwin.
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