James is a 23 year old postgraduate student studying towards the MMus Performance course at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) generously supported by the Ann Driver Trust and under the tutelage of Peter Alexander Wilson; having previously completed undergraduate studies at RNCM.

 

During his studies James has had several noticeable engagements including; the role of Marchese D’Obigny from Verdi’s La Traviata with Hampstead Garden Opera (which toured to Modica, Sicily), part of the Burgesses Chorus from Britten’s Peter Grimes with Bergen National Opera, part of the acting Chorus from Puts’ Silent Night with Opera North. Whilst at the RNCM James has performed in a series of Opera Scenes with noteworthy roles including Harlekin from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, Guglielmo from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Henry from Weil’s Street Scene and as a member of the chorus in Handel’s Alcina and Serse. Furthermore, James has also performed the role of Envy from Vaughan Williams’ Pilgrim’s Progress and has held semi chorus roles in Massenet’s Cendrillon and Berlioz’s Roméo et Juliette.

 

Together with his Operatic roles James has been privileged to take part in numerous Masterclasses and external coaching with Brindley Sherratt, Paul Wynne Griffiths, Christopher Purves, Steve Maughan, John Savournin and Philip Voldman.

 

During the last twelve months in which performance opportunities were cancelled, James secured the opportunity to be involved in British Youth Opera’s online summer workshop last summer lead by Will Kerely and Liz Rowe, Online weekend residencies with Opera North lead by Annabel Arden, Annette Saunders, Aletta Collins and Nicholas Kok. He continues to support the SoundUp Arts for the Community project using his musical skills and knowledge supporting members who live with the challenges of dementia.

 

James has a strong connection to his local Church Choir, St Thomas’ Mellor and has most recently organised a charitable fundraising concert, in which he performed scenes from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.

 

James is delighted to be given the opportunity to debut with North Wales Opera Studio and looking forward to collaborating with fellow performers.