James is currently a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the flagship orchestra of the BBC.
Recent highlights include tours to Switzerland, Spain, and Japan, and the orchestra's annual performances at the BBC proms.
Recent freelance work includes guest leading the second violins of the National Symphony Orchestra, Dublin.
James has also worked with many orchestras around the UK and ROI, including trials with Scottish Ballet for Co Leader, RTENSO for Section Leader 2nd Violin, BBCNOW for Assistant Principal 2nd Violin, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Opera North, and the Ulster Orchestra, several of which have resulted in job offers. Freelance work has included the LSO, ENO, and Philharmonia amongst others.
He is also an experienced teacher, including mentoring on the BBCSO/RCM Pathway scheme, as well as having taught many adults and high level students (diploma and above), on top of many years experience teaching for music services, schools, and privately.
James grew up in Sussex and began his violin studies with Paula Radford at the East Sussex Music Service, followed by lessons with Sion Parry at Eastbourne College. He was an avid member of the South Downs Youth Orchestra, National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain, and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain before progressing to Cambridge University to read music where he led many orchestral groups including the CU Music Society Symphony Orchestra. Throughout these formative years, James studied the violin with Dona Lee Croft, later taking lessons from Miranda Playfair and Cynthia Fleming. Orchestral music has always been central to his musical experience so it was a natural next step to take the Guildhall School of Music and Drama's Orchestral Artistry Masters, a course run in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra, studying with Janice Graham. After graduating with distinction, and following a brief period of freelancing, James was offered several jobs with orchestras around the country before taking up his current position with the BBC.