James Dooley came to San Jose in 1983 as principal trumpet for the San Jose Symphony, and continues in that role for Symphony Silicon Valley. Born in Syracuse, New York, Dooley first took up the trumpet at the age of 10. Following five years at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, he worked as a freelance artist in New York from 1978 to 1983, continuing his studies under the great Vincent Penzarella of the New York Philharmonic. To this day, Dooley pays tribute to Penzarella as the most influential teacher of his career.

Since winning the national audition that brought him to San Jose, Dooley has made his home in this region, where he has also performed, toured and recorded with the San Francisco Symphony and helped to found the Bay Brass. For over 20 years he spent every summer in Santa Fe as assistant principal trumpet for the renowned Santa Fe Opera. Dooley is also a dedicated teacher, whose current students range from 9 to 81 years old. After serving on the faculty of San Jose State University from 1986 to 2003, he is now on the faculty of the University of Santa Clara. Dooley lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with his 'reason for being,' his teenage daughter Keara.