James is a concert pianist and teacher with a particular interest in French music. He is in high demand as a teacher and enjoys solving pupils’ technical and musical problems at the keyboard through the Alexander Technique - an approach aimed at dissolving unnecessary habits in the way we function to improve co-ordination and the sound quality.

James read Music at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he held an instrumental scholarship.  He graduated from Oxford in 2008 and, having been awarded a high first in his Performance Finals, went on to study Solo Piano at the Guildhall School of Music.  There he completed his Masters under Debussy scholar Paul Roberts and pianist Charles Owen, achieving distinctions in his recital exams and receiving a scholarship from The Leathersellers’ Company.  

During his time at the GSMD James developed an interest in the Alexander Technique and its capacity to identify causes of tension thanks to the inspiring piano professor Nelly Ben-Or.  He was struck by the improvements in tone, fluency and ease which he experienced from applying the Alexander principles and so decided to continue his studies with Nelly for several years after leaving the GSMD in order to further his understanding.

James was originally educated as a music scholar at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood where he studied the Piano with Rachel Lambert.  As a sixth former he attended the Junior Royal Academy of Music, furthering his playing under pianist Graham Caskie who instilled in him a love of French and contemporary music.  At the end of his schooling he performed Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the MTS orchestra.