James Allen Retires After 25 Years at Perpich

May 26, 2026

James Allen, Music Instructor

After 25 years of service at Perpich Arts High School, Music Instructor James Allen is preparing for his final sound check — though not necessarily his final performance. Allen’s last day at Perpich will be Friday, May 29, as he retires following a career spent in music education.

For generations of students, Allen’s classroom was more than a place to study music theory or rehearse for concerts. It was a relaxed, collaborative environment built around curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking.

“I don’t feel as if there’s a lot of pressure,” Allen said. “I try to encourage people to be curious. [Music] theory is not law. It helps you better understand things.”

That philosophy shaped his teaching throughout his time at Perpich. Rather than focusing heavily on grades, Allen emphasized growth, exploration, and the long-term value of learning; even if students didn’t immediately understand why something mattered.

“A lot of what you’re hearing now, you may not find useful until later,” he said. “Then you have a big ‘aha’ moment.”

As retirement approaches, Allen said the reality has slowly settled in through a series of “lasts” — the last Monday department meeting, the last theory class, the final performances of the year. Still, he noted that the timing feels natural.

“At the end of every school year, students move on,” he said. “So doing this at the end of the year feels gentler somehow. There’s a synchrony with the students departing too.”

Allen’s connection to music began early. According to family stories, one of the few things that calmed him as a child was being placed in front of the radio. Later, seeing a rock band perform on television inspired him to pick up the guitar, though he initially felt disappointed when his first instrument was an acoustic rather than the electric guitar he had imagined.

“Ironically,” he laughed, “nylon string guitar is probably my favorite type of guitar to play now.”

James Allen (center) assists with equipment set up ahead of the Sound Works IV Concerts in May, 2026. Photo credit: Bob Frey

Originally from Australia, Allen first pursued music education in college before stepping away to focus more deeply on music itself. Over time, performing and teaching naturally merged into a career that eventually brought him to Perpich.

When he first arrived, Allen was only teaching part-time. He remembers awkwardly navigating fire drills during his interview and trying to feel connected while frequently arriving on campus only for schedule changes or canceled classes. Over the years, his position gradually grew into a full-time role and a lasting career.

Among his favorite memories are the countless student performances that filled the music department over the decades. He especially recalled watching students take creative risks and support one another in the process.

“One of the great things here is that students have been really supportive of each other,” Allen said. “Kids who came here with very little experience but were really creative — they grew so much.”

He has also watched the program evolve significantly. When Allen first started, nearly all student performances featured entirely original music. Technology, music production, and changing educational trends shifted the landscape over time, but Allen believes one core value remained constant: performance.

“We’ve always maintained that performance aspect,” he said. “Even if students are really into music production or computers, they still have to perform. There’s something important about that.”

Allen believes music education offers students much more than technical skill. Performance teaches collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience, including how to recover from mistakes.

James Allen, photo credit MacPhail Center for Music

“Sometimes learning through screwing up in front of 50 people is valuable,” he said with a laugh. “You remember it. Then you figure out what you need to do differently next time.”

Throughout his career, Allen said some of his proudest moments came simply from seeing students succeed after taking creative risks.

“I think I made a difference to a lot of kids,” he reflected with tears in his eyes. “It’s been a worthwhile 25 years.”

That impact often becomes visible long after graduation. Recently, Allen was recognized by a former student, now an adult with children of his own, while out at a restaurant.

“You run into people years later,” Allen said. “That’s when you realize it mattered.”

As for retirement, Allen isn’t stepping away from music entirely. He hopes to return to performing professionally and spend more time exploring musical ideas without the structure of a school calendar.

“I’m looking forward to having time,” he said. “Time to follow through on things I want to study and learn and grow.”

For the next generation of Perpich music teachers, Allen offers simple advice: stay open, enjoy the students, and embrace the freedom to create.

“It’s a really good collegiate place to think,” he said. “Just enjoy it.”

James Allen receives a standing ovation at the 2026 graduation ceremony

James Allen has a B.A. in music performance and a diploma of education from the University of Tasmania, Australia with a major in classical guitar. He joined the Perpich faculty in 1999. He teaches music theory, improvisation, music history, and music styles as well as directing a jazz combo and coaching ensembles. In addition to teaching at the arts high school, he is on the guitar faculty at MacPhail Center for Music.

James was the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Boards Artist Initiative Grant in 2011 to study Brazilian music in Brazil and California.

James has previously taught at a number of high schools and colleges in Minnesota and Australia. He continues to perform throughout the Twin Cities as a solo artist, a member of a number of bands, and as a freelance musician. He is featured on several recordings, including a duo album with local jazz singer Vicky Mountain.

At MacPhail, James Allen teaches rock, blues, jazz, pop, classical, and folk on both electric and acoustic guitar. Teaching since 1977, he coaches students of all ages and abilities individually, in ensembles, small groups, and larger classes. He performs regularly with his duo playing jazz and blues, with Cuerda y Madera playing Latin jazz, with Gypsy Mania playing gypsy jazz and freelances. In the past, he has worked with Johnny Mojo Blues Band, Classic Big Band and with Anthony Cox, Cynthia Johnson, Chris Lomheim, Jay Epstein, Gary Berg and Michael O’Brien.

We thank James for his dedication and years of service and wish him the best of luck in this next adventure!