James Deignan
James Deignan is a composer of choral music and musical theater based in Chicago, Illinois. A proud Luther College and University of St. Thomas graduate, James has been mentored by educators such as Andrew Last, Allen Hightower, and Phillip Shoultz, Bert Pinsonneault, and Karen Howard, among others.
James has been commissioned by Luther College's Collegiate Chorale and Nordic Choir; Turtle Creek Chorale; San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus; and many high school choral programs across the Midwest. He has also had his works performed by the Northern Arizona University Shrine of Ages Choir, North Dakota State University choirs, and various other university ensembles. James' music received its Carnegie Hall debut in 2019. His music is published here and with Hal Leonard, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and Walton.
James and his creative partner (and wife) Christine Deignan founded Middle Kid Musicals in 2025 to better serve musical theater students and teachers at the middle school level with the quality, original material that they deserve.
James teaches with Uniting Voices Chicago, which serves 4000 students across every Chicago zip code each week. He also practices Buddhist meditation, and enjoys storytelling and art of all kinds in his free time.