James currently learns with Mark Van de Wiel and Chi-Yu Mo at the Royal Academy of Music. His studies are generously supported by the Academy with a scholarship. Previously, James studied with Derek Hannigan at the Junior Guildhall Department where he was holder of a Clarinet Scholarship, two time finalist and runner-up of the Lutine Prize Competition, and recipient of the Director's Prize. James was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for three years where he played under distinguished conductors such as John Wilson, François Xavier Roth and Sir Mark Elder in world-class venues such as the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, the Konzerthaus in Berlin, and the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms. In 2015 James represented the Orchestra in 'BBC Ten Pieces II' where he performed alongside BBC Symphony Orchestra members at the premiere of the film screening and played live for the 'In Tune' programme on BBC Radio 3. Last summer James played Principal Bass Clarinet on a recording of Holst's 'The Planets' and 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' by Strauss with acclaimed conductor Edward Gardner for Chandos Recording. This was James's final project with the NYO and a highlight of his time in the orchestra. During his first year at the Academy James has been involved in several public performances varying from symphonic to chamber to solo music. He has been invited to play as extra for the University of London Symphony Orchestra directed by Peter Stark and has also played in several one-off amateur symphony orchestra concerts throughout the year. James is an active chamber musician being a full time member of a Wind Quintet and a Clarinet Viola Piano Trio - the latter recently performing the Françaix Trio in the Harold Craxton Prize at the Academy. As a soloist he has received public tuition from Patrick Messina and Andrew Marriner and was also invited to perform in an open masterclass given by Franklin Cohen. Further to this, James participated in the Academy's prestigious Buffet Crampon Clarinet Prize where he came runner-up with 'very highly commended'. James has a particular interest in the study and performance of contemporary music. At the Academy he has associated himself with the Composition Department, both playing for and offering technical and practical advice on many new compositions. He has been asked to perform in several of the Department's platform concerts, most recently at The Forge in Camden, and is looking forward to working with the Academy's Manson Fellow of Composition on a new solo clarinet piece for the 'Art of Chaos' festival at the Shoreditch Town Hall. James is an extra member of the Philharmonia Orchestra most recently playing Second and Bass Clarinet for a recording session at AIR Studios. He is looking forward to building his professional portfolio career as his studies at the Royal Academy of Music continue.