James Culley was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and grew up in Cincinnati. He received a bachelor's degree from the Oberlin Conservatory, a bachelor of arts degree in Classics (Latin) from Oberlin College, and a master's degree from the Eastman School of Music.
He joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati in 1979 as an original member of The Percussion Group Cincinnati. With that group he has recorded and performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has directed the student percussion ensemble for the past 18 years and regularly performs with Mr. Burge's student Steeldrum band.
His CCM Percussion Ensemble promotes new works by CCM student composers and specializes in performances of unconducted, full-score pieces. In 1998 he received the Ernest Glover Outstanding Faculty (CCM) award. Culley has performed as extra percussionist in the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Opera orchestras, and freelances as timpanist/percussionist in regional orchestras.
