James was a Broadway and Ballet dancer, Choreographer, and University Professor. He started his theatrical journey tap dancing with his identical twin brother Bob at 3. He studied with Bently Stone and Walter Camryn in Chicago. He performed in Paris with Ruth Pages’ Ballets Americain in 1950. Later that year he did his first Broadway show: Seventeen. James was a performer in nine Broadway musicals; from Seventeen to The Apple Tree.

James was the first American Director of the Royal Swedish Ballet, in Stockholm, Sweden and brought the company to the U.S. for it’s first American tour

James had a four-decade association with Jerome Robbins. He was as a dancer in Robbins’ Ballets U.S.A. in Spoleto, Italy, and then on Broadway. He was Riff in the first revival of West Side Story at New York’s City Center. He was assistant to Robbins’ during the creation of Les Noces for American Ballet Theatre. He worked with Robbins’ during the casting and creation of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, and worked with New York City Ballet to recreate Les Noces for that company. James was also a member of Robbins’ American Theatre Lab and recreated Les Noces for Ballet Companies around the world, from La Scala, Milan, to Finland.

James served as Ballet Master with American Ballet Theatre, where he worked as regisseur for the Agnes de Mille, Alvin Ailey, and Leonide Massine ballets.

James worked as a director and choreographer. He choreographed New Faces of 1962, and was assistant choreographer to Drat the Cat. He directed companies of The Apple Tree, Fiddler, and The Rink. James also choreographed short ballets for ABT’s touring company.

In 1975 James joined the Faculty of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he developed its dance department into a national showpiece.  He retired Professor Emeritus in 2003.

His brother Robert Moore preceded James in death.  He is survived by his wife Linda Martin Moore, brother Tom Moore, sons Eric Moore (Judith Ingram) and Christopher Moore.  Grandchildren Zoe, Emma, Violet, Saffron, Rayne, Maveric and Stryder.

Private services will be held.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the James Moore Scholarship fund at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.