James Pecsok is the Choral Director at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School.  He teaches middle and high school Chorus as well as woodwind lessons.  James is also  the adviser to the Tri-M chapter at Leland & Gray. Additionally, he is the Varsity Cross Country Coach, the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, and is the founding Varsity Coach of the Track & Field Team.

In 2017 James graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education frin the University of Hartford's, The Hartt School. While at the University of Hartford, James was on the Track & Field Team from 2013-2015, served on the elect-board for the Hartt School's NAfME Chapter, and was the Assistant Music Director of University of Hartford's only all-male a cappella group, Hawkapella.

James has a diverse musical background and has had private study in several areas. He has studied saxophone with Carrie Koffman and Steven Klimowski, piano with Kevin Parizo and voice with a variety of people including Jessica Allen.  James has commissioned works from composers such as Mark Ceppetelli and Justin Gates.  He has a vested interest in musical theater. James has played in several pit orchestra's, has performed as an actor and vocalist, and has music directed several shows.   

As an educator James has taught privately and in group settings, through his degree program at The Hartt School, as well as through the Middlebury Community Music Center, privately, and is serving as Lecturer of Saxophone at Keene State College for the Spring 2021 Semester. 

James is very active in his field as a professional. He currently serves as the President-Elect and Choir Co-Manager for the Connecticut Valley Music Festival Association, Webmaster for the Vermont American Choral Directors Association, and the Social Media Chair for both the Vermont Music Educators Association and the New England Music Festival Association. James also created and co-directed the Vermont Music Educators Association's first ever Tri-M Student Leadership Conference, and is presenting at the upcoming Vermont Music Educators Conference.

Education

• University of Hartford's, The Hartt School '17
• Middlebury Union High School '13

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Performed with

• The Hartt School's Symphony Band​
• Little City Jazz Band
• EnerJazz
• Hawkapella
• Hartt Choir
• and more!