Meet Our Faculty

James Knox
Music Director and Professor of Music 
Email: jwknox@cocc.edu

A proficient composer and professor of Music, James directs diverse programs in choral and vocal studies. With a passion for teaching, conducting and composing, he has been a musical force with COCC since 2003.

James’ compositions — which he describes as works of “contemporary energy with emotional depth” — have been performed across the U.S. and internationally, including in Brazil, Russia, Spain and Italy. 

Commissions include large-scale choral-orchestral settings, chamber works and projects with ensembles around the globe. 

Among other career distinctions, James served as a visiting professor of music at the University of London in 2014 through COCC’s exchange program, and, in 2018, during a sabbatical in Estonia, he worked closely with Maestro Hirvo Surva and several prestigious Estonian choirs. He was appointed guest maestro at the Conservatorio di Musica “Arrigo Pedrollo” in Vicenza, Italy. James earned both a bachelor’s in music and a master’s in choral conducting from Portland State University. 

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Jonathan Moore
Music Director and Assistant Professor of Music
Email: jmoore7@cocc.edu

The music director and conductor of the Central Oregon Symphony, Cascade Winds Symphonic Band and OperaBend, Jonathan leads rich traditions of community musical ensembles at COCC. Having joined the College in 2026, he has made an impact on the local arts scene since 2015, beginning with directing the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra and contributing to both the Sunriver Music Festival and OperaBend. He has also performed with the Central Oregon Symphony. 
 
Prior to moving to Bend, Jonathan served as conductor of the SYZYGY New Music Ensemble in Dallas, and also worked as a cover conductor for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Meadows Symphony Orchestra. He has been a collaborator with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Burgos International Music Festival, and the Monteux School and Music Festival. 
 
Born in France, Jonathan was later raised in the U.S. and earned bachelor’s degrees in French horn performance and political science from the University of Florida and master’s degrees in French horn performance and instrumental conducting from Southern Methodist University. 

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