Jim Benoit, a native of Niskayuna, New York, is the Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Previously, Jim was the Associate Principal Percussionist and Assistant Principal Timpanist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and spent three seasons as a section percussionist with the Sarasota Opera. He also has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Boston Pops, Malaysian Philharmonic, and the New World Symphony, and toured with the Star Wars in Concert Orchestra.

As an educator, Jim was on faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and the Luzerne Music Center. Jim enjoys teaching and coaching a variety of subjects, including timpani, percussion, and chamber music. He also has a passion for performing and teaching jazz vibraphone, stemming from his time touring as the vibraphonist of The Waitiki 7, a polynesian latin/jazz band.

Jim received his Artist Diploma from Duquesne University, his Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, and his Bachelor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music.