Composer · Pianist · Educator
James Viggo Poulsen
James Viggo Poulsen (Jamie Poulsen) is a multi-faceted composer and pianist living in Des Moines, Iowa. His compositions encompass orchestral and solo piano music, art songs, and choral works. He has written and produced the music for hundreds of commercials and business films.
Poulsen trained as a classical pianist and composer and has over 50 years experience in jazz and rock performance. He performs over 100 times a year in Iowa and surrounding states.
Poulsen has had three major works commissioned and premiered by the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra with Joseph Giunta conducting.
In 2025, he was inducted into the Iowa Rock Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Poulsen has taught music theory, classical piano, jazz piano, and composition at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, for 34 years.
Des Moines, Iowa
About
In July 2025, Poulsen recorded two large orchestral works, Piano Concerto and Heartland Poem, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London. The soloist was GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Robert Thies, with Geoffrey Paterson conducting.
The album is released on MSR Classics through Parma Recordings and available on all major streaming services and on CD.