James began playing the piano at the age of five, after his parents noticed his fascination with his dad's piano playing. After two years, he was encouraged to take up another instrument, and from a choice of the oboe and cello, he chose the oboe.

At first, James studied the oboe (which became his main instrument) with Godfrey Plummer, a retired deputy in London Orchestras, until Godfrey moved to France in 2006. He now studies with Anna Cooper, a freelance player, who previously held the position of Principal Cor Anglais with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

He studied the piano firstly with Duncan Glenday, a local pianist, who now teaches at Junior RNCM. Then, he moved teacher, to study with Margaret Long, a family friend, before having a short period of lessons with his dad, and getting through Grade 5. He then moved to his current teacher, Valerie Eastham, who also teaches at JuniorRNCM.

In November 2008, James gained an outstanding mark of 142 in his Grade 8 oboe exam. In March 2009, He also passed his Grade 8 piano exam with merit. James is the former Principal Oboist of Oldham Orchestra, and has toured with them to Holland and Belgium. This year, he will travel to South Wales with the Orchestra. He has also toured to Lake Garda, Italy, with Cheshire Youth Orchestra.

Other musical interests include Renaissance Music, and Jazz- James plays the Crumhorn and the Shawm, and okays Jazz piano in the Oldham Music Centre Swing Band.

James has also performed with his school and church choir, both conducted by his father in many works, such as Handel's Zadok the Priest, Orff's Carmina Burana, Haydn's Creation and Vivaldi's Gloria. He has performed these works as a treble and a tenor since he has been in these choirs.

Going into the future, James is hoping for a place at a music college, and then, after that, he hopes to travel, and perform a successful career as a professional oboist, in orchestras around the world.

'Music is my life, and I couldn't live without it.'