James David, age 16, is a junior at McLean High School in Virginia. James began playing piano at age four, and cello at age nine, and currently studies cello with Benjamin Wensel, Principal of the Army Orchestra. A military child, James has experienced a variety of musical environments from Tampa, Florida to Paris, France. James has performed solo at venues including the Ambassador’s residence in Paris, Schlesinger Hall, University of South Florida School of music, and community settings across Virginia and North Carolina.
James has served as principal cellist with the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO), as well as participated in the Tampa Youth Metropolitan Orchestras. Outside of the School year, James has spent his summers performing at Brevard Music Center in 2025, and Eastern Music Festival in 2024.
Along with orchestral playing, James participates in the Ninth street chamber music intensive and the AYPO Senior Chamber Ensemble, and has led the formation of chamber ensembles that have performed in numerous community and wedding settings across the National Capital Region.
Watch James Madhav David perform Cello Concerto in D Major: I. Allegro Moderato by Joseph Haydn on the cello for the 2026 Classical Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.