Aileen James began her formal training at the age of five. She holds both Bachelor and Master degrees from Pacific Union College and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Performance from Stanford University. Further studies have been at USC, the Schubert Institute in Austria, and the Royamount Music Festival in France. She is an acclaimed performer as soloist, duo-pianist, chamber musician and accompanist.

Dr. James has been a private teacher for 40 years, and has served on the faculties of Pacific Union College, Stanford University, and Santa Clara University. From 1986 - 1997 she was the Artistic Director of the American Pianists Association in Indianapolis, heading its Biennial National Piano Fellowship Competition and fellowship program. Currently, Aileen and her husband, Dr. Donald Traeger, reside in Grass Valley. Aileen continues her performing and private teaching, and is currently the Vice-President of the TCCA Board of Directors.