Macy James

I am a solo horn player, primarily performing art music. I can perform alone, with piano accompaniment, or as part of a small or large ensemble.

Macy James is a passionate and energetic hornist who strives to create a more accessible and inclusive atmosphere within classical music. As a blind musician and scholar, she is committed to spreading awareness and support for musicians with disabilities through research, commissions, and community. Macy earned a bachelor’s degree in horn performance from the University of Arkansas in 2025 and is currently pursuing a master’s in performance at Western Michigan University. She holds a graduate assistantship in the WMU horn studio, plays in the Western Graduate Wind Quintet, and advocates for accessibility in music through presentations and research.

While at the University of Arkansas, Macy researched disability representation in horn repertoire and created a list of works which represent disability programmatically. An abbreviated version of her thesis was published in The Horn Call in April 2026. As part of this project, she received a grant to commission Tyler Mazone, a deaf and neurodivergent composer located in Lansing, Michigan. She recorded the piece, Peregrination for Horn and Piano, at Western Sound Studios, and it is now available on streaming services.

Macy has received many top awards for her musicianship and scholarship, including a Graduate Research Grant, the Sigma Alpha Iota Musicians with Disabilities Scholarship, a State Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and a Sturgis Fellowship. She graduated with highest honors and presented her honors thesis at the Mid-South Horn Workshop in 2025.

Macy loves to travel and has enjoyed performance opportunities in the US and abroad. In 2023, she attended the British Isles Music Festival, where she created chamber music with musicians from around the world and studied with members of the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass at the International Women in Brass Conference held in Mito, Japan. Most recently, she was invited to Boston to record for NPR’s From the Top as part of an episode highlighting musicians with disabilities. She has also enjoyed performances with University of Arkansas ensembles at the Mid-South Horn Workshop, College Band Directors Association, SHE Festival, and student chamber tour.

Macy believes that all musicians deserve access to resources, opportunities, and positive professional interactions. In her spare time, she is beginning the process of founding an organization which will provide a platform for advocacy and a welcoming community for musicians with disabilities. She seeks to connect with other disabled musicians and collaborate to make the community more accessible for all. Macy is grateful for the opportunities that she has had and hopes to continue advocating for access and inclusivity within classical music.