BIOGRAPHY | music

Originally from Loughor in Swansea, James previously taught as Head of Music at The Elmgreen School, Tulse Hill, London. James began composing and performing from an early age and majored in composition during his undergraduate studies and completed his MA in Composition at the University of Bristol; both under the guidance of John Pickard.

In 2011, James won the prestigious BUMS Chamber Choir Composition Competition with his setting of Jubilate Deo, later having it performed both in St. George's, Bristol and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin alongside The Creation, another of his choral works.

James has received a number of commissions, including a commission for international Cellist, Steffan Morris. Other notable performances of James' work include Hiraeth by Cardiff-based Sinfona Newydd during their annual Music festival at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a collection of scenes for an original ballet, 'Symba', which features music composed by James as well as a number of his colleagues from his time in Bristol University. In 2013, James was made resident composer of Gorseinon Youth Choir. Since 2015, James has had his works performed in Austria and the USA.

James is also a keen pianist, trumpeter and choral singer. Whilst at Bristol University, James sang with the Bristol University Singers and Bristol University Chamber Choir. With the Chamber Choir, James had the pleasure to sing in a number of prestigious venues in Bristol including St. George's, Colston Hall and the Victoria Rooms as well as a number of venues in Berlin, Sienna and Barcelona.

He has sung with the renowned Dunvant Male Choir. James has also accompanied a number of choirs in venues across the UK including Dunvant Rugby Club Singers at Clearwell Castle in the Forest of Dean and Parti Llwchwr Ladies Choir in the Cor Cymru competition. He has also taken on rehearsal accompanist duties for Theatre groups Musicality based in Swansea and the Lyric Players in London.

Whilst completing his PGCE Secondary Music course, James took on the role of Deputy Conductor with Morriston Tabernacle Choir and became a member of the music team with Cor Aelwyd Twrw Tawe.