James is a freelance percussionist and timpanist who graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, where he won the EV-ENTZ Percussion Prize in his penultimate year. Prior to his studies, James was a longstanding member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Since graduating, James has played with ensembles such as the Welsh National Opera, Ulster Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and the Brecon Baroque Festival Orchestra, and has performed in venues across the world including Carnegie Hall in New York City. James also works regularly with Live Music Now, delivering workshops within the community.