James began his musical career when he started at the University of Birmingham in 2013. In his third year he was awarded the conducting positions of both the University's Gilbert and Sullivan society and the Music Society's women's chamber choir for two terms. After his first concert with the women's choir he was approached by Simon Halsey, and invited to join the MA Choral Conducting programme. There James had the oppurtunity to study with Simon Halsey, Simon Carrington and Julian Wilkins, as well as perform concerts with the CBSO Chorus, SO Vocal, the University's auditioned departmental choirs and the BBC Proms Youth Choir. James completed his Masters with a merit classification and is now looking forward to advance his career as a choral conductor.