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School of Music

James Gutierrez graduated has a B.A. in Music Theory, a certificate in Audio Recording Arts from the Aspen Music Festival and School, and his M.M. in Composition with honors in 2009 from Azusa Pacific University, studying with Phil Shackleton (composer, Media Malpractice, 2009) and Christopher Wills (Spider-Man 2). In 2013 James was awarded the Cota-Robles Fellowship toward the completion of his Ph.D. from University of California, at San Diego where his research focuses on the cognitive psychology and neuroscience of music.

Mr. Gutierrez's eclectic styles can be heard in a growing number of media, including collaboration with the vocal group "Desiah" (ABC's Modern Family). In May 2011, his original music was heard in the latest feature by award-winning Italian director Christian Filippella, starring Eric Roberts (The Dark Night, The Expendables) and Seymour Cassel (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic). His music can also be heard in the critically-acclaimed docu-drama South Dakota (2010), produced by Howard Kazanjian (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), as well as a host of award-winning short films. Mr. Gutierrez is also a published music arranger/orchestrator and has been performed and distributed internationally, and has been an active keyboardist in the Los Angeles area for seven years.