Christopher Kingdon Schrade James is the son of concert pianists Robelyn Schrade-James and David James. Christopher’s grandparents, Rolande and Robert Schrade, founded a music festival near the Berkshires called Sevenars Concerts, which has been running for over 50 years. Christopher was raised with music filling the home and with annual family performances at Sevenars, and his performances are filled with his love for and memories of his family. Christopher performed at Carnegie Weill this past April 27th with his sister, pianist Lynelle James, and has been a member of the Chelsea Symphony since his undergraduate studies in 2015. Christopher received his bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and his master’s from Teachers College, Columbia University. While at Hunter, Christopher played as principal cellist of the Hunter College Symphony and met Reuben Blundell, who was at that time the symphony’s conductor, and who invited Christopher to join the Chelsea Symphony. Christopher’s approach to music is that of his father’s, that is, that performance is a form of prayer, and it is his joy and pleasure to share that light with the world.