Dr. James Polk
Mentor Legend Musician
Dr. James Polk is a native of Corpus Christi, TX. He is a master musician who studied at Huston-Tillotson University, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Studies in 1995. He received his Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies in 2006 upon his retirement.
He has been a legendary part of Austin’s cultural arts community with his real-life mentorship to its talented and successful members. Dr. Polk’s legendary foresight about what the arts could become is the pillar of the Dr. James Polk Academy of Arts and Technology.
Read his statement of support.
The Dr. James Polk Academy of Arts and Technology is putting into action Dr. Polk’s message of, “If you enjoy doing something, do a little bit of it every day." The academy provides strong and supportive mentorship, team-building opportunities, encouraging musical exploration, and more.
The academy was founded by his protege, Edwin Hardin, who received personal and professional mentorship from Dr. Polk from childhood to today.