James Powell is the Director of Percussion at Decatur Central High School and Decatur Middle School in Indianapolis, Indiana.  James joined the Decatur faculty in July 2011.  James hails from Owensboro, Kentucky and was a graduate of Daviess County High School in Owensboro, Kentucky.  James earned his Bachelor's of Music Education degree from the Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky.

James was apart of Morehead State University Indoor Drumline who were runners up at PASIC.  In 1992 James also was apart of the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps from Dallas, Texas and was section leader.

James has instructed and arranged for certain drumlines like the Murray State University Racer Band, and was the Caption Head/Arranger for Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps earning two DCI World Championships and the DCI High Percussion Trophy. 

James as also been involved with the indoor percussion circuit and was Director of Impact Audio Theater (KY), who were WGI Silver Medalist. 

James also teaches private percussion lessons at Kentucky Weslyan College, in the Kentucky area.