James McDermott is an educator and cellist based in Lakewood, OH. He joined the Firelands Symphony Orchestra as a section cellist in 2025. In addition to his role with the FSO, he regularly performs with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra. Throughout Northeast and Central Ohio, he enjoys playing cello professionally for orchestras, weddings, chamber music, and musical theater productions.

An active educator, McDermott currently serves as the Middle School Orchestra Director in Westlake City Schools. He graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Music Education in spring 2023.