James is a diligent and creative music professional who is immersed in Musical Theatre. He specialises in musical direction and the teaching of singing and performance techniques. As a musical director he aspires to provide an excellent musical product and experience for all. His thorough approach means that he creates a relaxed yet professional atmosphere for musicians, casts and creative teams. As a teacher he challenges students to explore a range of strategies and tools to get the best out of their voice or performance. He ensures students maintain their individuality, creative musicality and performance integrity.
As a singing teacher James specialises in musical theatre, incorporating the Estill model in his teaching. As well as leading workshops and group singing classes James teaches privately offering lessons for adults and children; both professional and amateur. As well as fundamental singing technique James also focuses on characterisation, interpretation and acting techniques to enhance the performance of songs for all styles. Some pupils take singing and music theatre exams maintaining a 100% pass rate. James offers assistance with audition preparation and applications for vocational colleges and professional courses. Previous pupils have gone onto study at top drama schools and others have gone on to perform professionally around the country and in West End shows.
James’ skills as a singing teacher coincide with his work as a freelance musical director. He works with professional theatre companies, amateur dramatic groups and youth theatre groups specialising in musical theatre and plays with music. James’ skills and experience as a MD include accompanying rehearsals, sight reading (especially for auditions), leading vocal warm ups and workshops, playing keys in orchestra pits, conducting ensembles, Keyboard and Mainstage programming, creating arrangements and composing award winning music.
Currently, he is resident Musical Director for Blue Fire Theatre Company and Singing Teacher for Spirit Young Performers Company.
Credits as Musical Director include: Carrie The Musical (London College of Music), Edges (The Arden School of Theatre), Cinderella (The Swan Theatre, Worcester), Fabulett 1933 (Edinburgh Fringe & Drayton Arms, London), Legally Blonde (Harrow Arts Centre), Jack and the Beanstalk (Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead), NewsRevue: My Time To Lie (Canal Café Theatre), Unmasked and Unmuted (GSA, Guildford), Garden at Centre Point/Duality Lives (Centre Point, Tottenham Court Road & Online), Marie Lloyd Stole My Life (Edinburgh Fringe & UK Tour), Pinot! The Musical Tour (Palace Theatre, Southend & Wimbledon Studio) and the UK premiere of The Pirate Queen.
Other Credits include: Luna Rossa Productions for Silversea Cruise Line [Assistant Vocal Director], West End Proms (Old Royal Naval College) [Rehearsal Pianist], Once On This Island (Southwark Playhouse) [Rehearsal Pianist], Collabro: Road To The Royal Albert Hall Tour (G Live, Guildford) [Choir Director for 8218 Youth Theatre], The Vera Lynn Story (UK Tour) [Accompanist & Performer]
Education & Teaching Credits include: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, ArtsEd, Guildford School of Acting, Italia Conti, Urdang, Academy of Performance Training, PQA Studios, London Theatre Runway, READ College, Univeristy of Chichester, Richmond Theatre Creative Learning Dept, British Theatre Academy, Karen Blackburn Dance Academy and Laine Theatre Arts.
