Singing Lessons
Building vocal technique & confidence, with focus on maximising artistic expression
“I have loved to sing my whole life, but before I took lessons with James, singing was not always enjoyable and sometimes even painful if I did it over a long period. James' biggest gift to me was the ability to sing healthily and with ease, so that I can now not only create a more healthy sound but also know that I am not damaging my voice while doing the thing that I love.”
- Cecilia M
James’ singing background
James holds an LRAM singing teaching qualification from the Royal Academy of Music where he trained on the MA Musical Theatre (distinction) programme, earning an additional DipRAM award for outstanding performance in his final recital. There he was taught Bel Canto singing by renowned voice teacher Ann James, Estill Voicecraft with Anne-Marie Speed and the art of Vocal Pedagogy by Sam Kenyon, all experts in their respective fields. James also holds a BA Actor Musicianship (distinction) undergraduate degree from Rose Bruford College as well as ABRSM grade 8 piano & singing (distinction).
Having performed as a cross-genre vocalist in numerous gigs, concerts, cabarets, recordings, productions and festivals UK-wide and internationally, James has a vast well of experience to call upon. Some personal career highlights include singing in the critically acclaimed Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends concert in London’s West End; performing the music of Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Mis, Miss Saigon) & Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) for the composers themselves and playing the main stages of Cornbury Festival, The Big Feastival and Cork Jazz Festival with swing band The Monday Blues. More recently, he recorded & released his debut solo EP as a singer-songwriter: ‘GAIA’.
James began his vocal teaching journey whilst still at college, having already gained experience teaching piano. Upon graduating from the Academy, his first institutional singing teaching job was at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey where he taught future professional performers technical singing on the musical theatre degree/diploma course. He currently teaches a wonderful cohort of private students made up of both professional performers and passionate amateurs in a freelance capacity, either online or at a central London studio.
Lesson content
All lessons focus on establishing a secure, flexible, healthy vocal technique; exercising creativity with voice use - exploring the range of artistic expression/acting through song available and working on audition technique/repertoire coaching if required. James works with the singer in the room and encourages students to bring their own song choices that inspire them in tandem with his own suggestions. If possible, in your initial enquiry please detail any previous problems, goals and interests you would like to focus on in lessons.
All genres are catered for (classical, pop, rock, musical theatre etc.) Though each require specific configurations, the core principle of “no pain, no strain” underpins all of the singing practice taught. We have one voice with many potential applications and James believes that the greater the variety of aspects of our own voice we can explore, train and master, ultimately the greater choice we then have when applying ourselves to the material in front of us.
James does not teach one specific methodology but rather uses a multi-faceted approach to troubleshoot vocal problems at source and work-out the precise vocal ‘recipe’ required for each task. Most importantly, he teaches from experience; having had to navigate the ups and downs of life as professional singer himself, including working with stage fright and maintaining vocal stamina. James always works from a place of compassion and understanding first and foremost.
Standard lesson length/pricing is 50mins/£45 (£51 in studio)
James currently teaches privately either online or at a central London studio
Please enquire for more details
Listen to James sing ‘The River’ by AURORA
