DMSO at Home Live with James Blanchard

James Blanchard Principal Flute

James Blanchard is the Principal Flutist of the Des Moines Symphony. He joined the ensemble in May 2018. He is a regular guest performer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet of Seattle. Previously, James has played as Guest Principal with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and as a substitute for the New York Philharmonic. Later in April, James will participate in the London Symphony Orchestra’s Global Academy, which will culminate in chamber and orchestral performances with members of the LSO led by Sir Simon Rattle.

James is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico. After graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Rice University where he studied with Leone Buyse at the Shepherd School of Music. While at Rice, James founded the Prismatics Woodwind Quintet - the ensemble won the bronze medal at the 2015 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition.

After graduating from Rice, James earned his Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School where he studied with Robert Langevin. During his time in New York City, James won second prize at the 2017 New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition. He also founded Tangent Winds, another woodwind quintet that also won the bronze medal at the 2018 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition.

James has attended the Aspen Music Festival as a member of the Contemporary Ensemble, the Sarasota Music Festival, the Texas Music Festival, and Music Academy of the West.

James lives in San Jose, California with his partner.

Maya Kherani Soprano

Lauded for her vibrant voice and exciting characterizations in repertoire from the Baroque to the modern, soprano Maya Kherani returns to Opera San José as a 2020/21 Resident Artist. Career highlights include starring in the title role of Handel’s Partenope with Opera NEO; Meera in the premiere of Jack Perla’s The River of Light, commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera; and Altisidore in Boismortier’s Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse with Central City Opera. Upcoming debuts include engagements with the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Vancouver Symphony, and Boston Baroque. She received First Place and Audience Favorite at the James Toland Vocal Competition, two Encouragement Awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and this year, was the only American soprano to compete as a Semifinalist in the international Glyndebourne Opera Cup.

Christopher Ray Piano

Christopher James Ray is currently resident conductor at Opera San Jose and an assistant conductor with the San Francisco Symphony. From 2017-18 Christopher served on the music staff of the Bayreuth Festival. Mr. Ray recently completed conducting a filmed production of Jake Heggie's Three Decembers with renowned mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. 

A protege of American composer Carlisle Floyd, Christopher is a sought-after interpreter of Floyd's works. In addition to serving as the assistant to the composer, Christopher recorded an album of Floyd’s songs with the celebrated mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer. It is available through GPR Records on the Naxos label.