Makena James
I am an advanced organist and pianist, and church musician based in Los Angeles. I currently study at the UCLA with Dr. Christoph Bull. I am in demand as a recitalist and have performed around the US. In addition, I perform works for organ, piano, voice, handbells, and a combination thereof in the form of live and multitracked projects that can all be found here.
I won first prize in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) Buffalo Chapter Organ Competition, the Charleston International Music Competition, and the New York Classical Music Competition. I hold a master's degree from USC, an associate certification from the AGO and am a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.
In dulci Jubilo (Good Christian Men Rejoice), arr. David Christensen
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
Angels we have Heard on High, arr. David Christensen
Go Tell it on the Mountain, arr. David Christensen
And the Glory of the Lord by Georg Frederic Handel, arr. David Christensen
Messiah, Part 1 Overture by Georg Frederic Handel, arr. David Christensen
Makena's Holiday Carillon Concert 2025
Midnight Salon (The High Church Orchestra)
Four Noble Gases, II. Argon by Daniel Gawthrop
Time to Say Goodbye (The High Church Orchestra handbell cover )
A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Arr. Makena James
Glorify thy name by Donna Adkins (arr. Makena James)
Gesange by Brahms, Opus 17, II. Lied von Shakespeare (The High Church Orchestra)
Gesange by Brahms, I. Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang (The High Church Orchestra)
Alleluia by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Makena's Fall Organ Recital 2025
Praise his Name
When in our Music God is Glorified, arr. John Ferguson
Made One in Christ by Mark Patterson
Ave Verum Corpus by William Byrd (The High Church Orchestra)
“Mighty to Save” (piano cover)
You Belong to Me by Dean Martin (The High Church Orchestra)
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150, by JS Bach (The High Church Orchestra)
IV. Coro: Leite Mich from BWV 150 by JS Bach
Coro VII. Meine Tage in dem Leide from BWV 150 by JS Bach
VI. Coro: Meine Augen sehen stets zu dem Herrn from BWV by JS Bach
V. Terzetto from BWV 150 by JS Bach
III. Aria: Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnugt from BWV 150 by JS Bach