First Prize and Audience Prize winner of the 2022 American Guild of Organists National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance, James Kealey is a young lion of the organ. A recent recital was hailed by The American Organist: "A deeply satisfying performance. Kealey used the organ beautifully, finding its color. The audience rose to its feet…giving well-deserved praise."

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Winner of the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 2022 American Guild of Organists’ National Young Artists Competition in Organ performance (NYACOP), James Kealey is a young artist of great distinction who has appeared in recital in England, the U.S.A., and in Europe.

Previous highlight engagements include recitals at Westminster Abbey UK; Methuen Memorial Music Hall, MA; St John the Divine, NYC, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and recitals for many AGO chapters around the country. Performances this season include stops in Potsdam NY, Birmingham, AL, Bryn Mawr PA, Lubbock TX, Princeton NJ, Nashville TN, and Norfolk VA.

A native of Great Britain, James came to the U.S.A. having held positions at notable English Cathedrals. He received his undergraduate degree from Royal Holloway, University of London, and worked as Senior Organ Scholar to the Chapel Choir there in their series of live broadcasts, international tours, CD recordings, weekly services, and concerts.

In the spring of 2020, James completed his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Organ Performance and Literature, having studied with David Higgs. In 2021 he was honored to be named one of The Diapason’s “20 under 30”, an accolade awarded to the most successful young artists in the field.

In the summer of 2023, his debut CD “Rhapsodic” was released on the Pro Organo recording label. Performed on the incredible E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings / Andover organ at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo NY, it features works by Whitlock, Delius, Price, Howells, Vierne, Still, and Franck.

James serves as Co-Director of Music & Fine Arts at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania (with Jeffrey Brillhart). He is represented in North America by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.