about jim
Jim Benoit, a native of Niskayuna, New York, is the Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Previously, Jim was the Principal Timpanist of the Seattle Symphony, the Associate Principal Percussionist and Assistant Principal Timpanist of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and a section percussionist with the Sarasota Opera. He also has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Pops, Malaysian Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, and the New World Symphony.
As an educator, Jim is on faculty at Duquesne University. Jim enjoys teaching and coaching a variety of subjects, including timpani, percussion, and chamber music. He also has a passion for performing and teaching jazz vibraphone, stemming from his time touring as the vibraphonist of The Waitiki 7, a polynesian latin/jazz band.
Jim received his Artist Diploma from Duquesne University, his Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and his Bachelor of Music from the Berklee College of Music.