James Gai is a multi-woodwind instrument performer and teacher. He joined the University of Central Missouri faculty to teach clarinet and saxophone in 1985 following 12 years of teaching at Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota. A former public school band director, Dr. Gai holds a Bachelor of Music Education in Clarinet and Masters of Music in Music Theory and Composition from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and the Doctorate of Arts in Woodwind performance from the University of Northern Colorado, performing recitals on all five woodwind instruments.
He continues an active performance schedule as principal clarinet with the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra, the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City, the After-Hours Trio, the Happy Wanderers German Band, and the Jim Gai Big Band. He has performed as an extra with the Kansas City Symphony, and with the Greeley Philharmonic, Denver Symphony, Huron Symphony, Watertown Symphony, Marshall Symphony, and Sedalia Symphony where he played oboe and principal bassoon.
Now based in Lee’s Summit MO, he continues to conduct woodwind clinics and performs solos with high school and festival bands. Dr. Gai has been with the family of Yamaha artists and clinicians since 1981.