James is a music teacher at St Joseph’s School (Stanthorpe), Immediate Past President of the International Kodály Society, Director of the Summer School Music Program, Director of the Cuskelly College of Music, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland (School of Education). 

James has a very broad base in education, having taught in Kindergarten, pre-school, primary and secondary classrooms as well as in tertiary institutions since 1987. His passion for music, and his ability to enthuse and bring about effective learning in students across all ages or abilities, is internationally recognized. James is committed to teacher training in music education, and consequently, is frequently asked to lead teacher in-service programs and workshops in a variety of teacher training programs including Australia, Malaysia, Scotland, England, Hungary, South Africa and New Zealand. Dr Cuskelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to music education in The Queen’s Birthday 2018 Honours List.