POULSEN, James Viggo

POULSEN, James Viggo. (Burlington IA, 1958-- ). Poulsen started playing piano by ear at the age of 3 and started formal piano lessons at age 6. His family moved to Dubuque when he was in 7th grade, and he then attended WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL and DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. His father served as the minister of GRANDVIEW AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH while his mother taught eight-grade science. Poulsen began composing at age 15 and was a member of a rock band. From 1972 to 1977, Ppulson studied piano with Joann Smith and the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE Poulsen earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Music in Piano Performance. He studied composition with Stephen Yarbrough at the University of South Dakota. Poulsen also studied with Richard Hervig and world-renowned composer Kenneth Gaburo at the University of Iowa. He began teaching part time at Simpson College in 1992 and joined the faculty full time in 2003. In 2026 he was an assistant professor of music, teaching classical and jazz piano, music theory, and related courses. He has performed over 250 faculty and student recitals. A highly versatile musician and composer, his main hobby is playing jazz piano at many events and jazz festivals throughout Iowa and surrounding states. Poulsen received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Rock Hall of Fame in 2025.

Poulsen has composed numerous piano, solo vocal, and choral works. The Des Moines Symphony has premiered three of his large orchestral works. Poulsen composes in a neo-romantic style, with influences from Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Philip Glass. Since 1991, he has composed and recorded music for hundreds of commercials and business films. From 1993–2003, he composed and produced many vocal and instrumental tracks for Disney Event Productions in Orlando FL. During that same time Poulsen won “Best Score” at the Iowa Film Awards 4 times, plus over 30 “Tellys” and “Addys” for music in advertising. He received ASCAPlus Awards in 2014 and 2015.

Poulsen taught music classes and lessons at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, for 34 years. He performed over 250 faculty and student recitals. A highly versatile musician and composer, his main hobby was playing jazz piano at many events and jazz festivals throughout Iowa and surrounding states. Poulsen received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Rock Hall of Fame in 2025.

In 2007 "Heartland Poem," a single-movement symphonic composition, was commissioned and premiered in 2008 by the Des Moines Symphony. It was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London, and came to Dubuque in 2012 to be performed by the DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

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Source:

1. Gloss, Megan, "Music from the Heartland," Telegraph Herald, October 16, 2026, p. 7A

2. "James Viggo Poulsen, Online: https://www.msrclassics.com/artists/james-viggo-poulsen/