James D. MacDonald III is a composition major at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He is also a jazz guitarist, and is originally from Maine.

He started out playing music by playing clarinet in concert band in middle and high school, and picked up the guitar upon entering high school. He started out at Capital University as a jazz studies major, primary instrument guitar, but during his sophomore year he realized he related more with composition, so he changed his major to composition.

While at Capital, he has performed in Jazz Guitar ensemble, Guitar Workshop, Savoy combo, World Music Ensemble, Chordsmen, and Ensemble Now. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, an Eagle Scout, and graduated high school fourth in his class.