Jim Phelan, conservatory trained as a horn player, became General Manager of the Powell Flute Company where Lillian Burkart made flute bodies, keys, padded flutes and piccolos and tested instruments. Together in 1981 they founded Burkart-Phelan, Inc. to provide subcontract services to Powell for the manufacture of piccolos. In 1984, Jim acquired the Powell Company. He left Powell in 1989 to finish his mechanical engineering degree. Upon graduation Jim entered the world of mechanical engineering designing electron-beam guns, automobile components and surgical instruments. In 1997 Jim rejoined his wife in building instruments, uniting his engineering skill and his eighteen years of flutemaking expertise.
Today, Burkart-Phelan is a world leader in flute and piccolo manufacturing with their state-of-the-art workshop in Shirley, Massachusetts and satellite workshop in Tianjin, China serving the Asian market. Jim manages the Burkart-Phelan Asian Assets.
In 1980 Jim authored the Complete Guide to the Flute, now in its second edition and sixth printing. He is in high demand to give lectures on repair, building and acoustics of musical instruments, and is still a very active horn player.