(photo by Dave Brosha)

Jim O’Leary is a composer from the island of Newfoundland in Canada. After studies in percussion performance, he turned his focus to composition; studying in Sweden with composer Jan Sandström. Jim then resided for many years in Stockholm, where he divided his time between composing, performing, and teaching. After further studies at Cambridge University and Queens University in Belfast, Jim returned to Canada in 2011 to take up the position of Composer-in-Residence with the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra. 

His music has been commissioned and performed by such ensembles as: the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Motion Ensemble, l’Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne, New Music Concerts, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Umeå Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Esbjerg Ensemble, Quasar Sax Quartet and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. 

In 2001, Jim was a finalist in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's composer competition, and received Stockholm County's Culture Prize 2002.