James R. Larkins (b. 1999) is a composer and cellist from North Carolina, who uses music to explore multiplicity, tradition in dialogue with collective memory, and the human impact of continuum and rupture. James is a graduate student at UC Davis, currently studying composition under Kurt Rohde. In the past, James has also studied with David Dzubay, Robert Aldridge, Laurie San Martin, Mika Pelo, and Sam Nichols, and has collaborated with musicians and ensembles including Ensemble Dal Niente, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Nuntempe Guitar Quartet, Chris Froh, Nick May, Orange Road String Quartet, Empyrean Ensemble, Earspace, and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. James’s music has been performed internationally at festivals including CAMPGround26, Taproot New Music Festival, and the Sofia Symphonic Summit. James also holds bachelor’s degrees in music and chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, having studied composition there under Allen Anderson and cello under Brent Wissick.