-
-
James studied violin from
the age of eight and then, after singing with his school choir in high
school, decided to pursue a career in classical voice performance.
Studying at The Australian
Institute of Music in Sydney, James completed a Diploma of Music Theatre in
2000, and in 2003 completed his Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical
Voice Performance, all under the tutelage of Ms. Petah Burns. He is
currently continuing his studies there on a scholarship to complete his
Masters in Music,
James won the 2006
McDonalds Operatic Aria competition as well as winning the Guildhall
Scholarship for international study along with the Alliance Francaise award,
both form the Australian Singing Competition '06. Previously he has won the Marja Baudish Award in The Joan
Sutherland Society Vocal Scholarship Competition and the Sydney de Vries
Award for Bass-Baritone in the City of Sydney Opera Awards amongst others. Since then
James has won the Senior Savage Club Competition and was a finalist in the
McDonalds Operatic Aria competition ('03) at Sydney Opera House as well as a
finalist in the Opera
and Arts Support Group Scholarship. James was a reserve finalist for the
Covent Garden Scholarship ('03 & '06) and a finalist in the Barilla Italian Opera Award.
He is regularly asked to
sing for music clubs, business functions and charity events, the most recent
being the outdoor gala fundraising performances of ‘Opera at Rivendell’ in
aid of the Concord Hospital, at the Supreme Court annual Concert and at
celebrations of Chinese and Australian international relations. His frequent
concert appearances include a fundraiser for the Rural Bushfire-fighters and
sang for Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge at her Birthday concert
staged by the Joan Sutherland Society. James has sung the Bass-Baritone
solo part in Handel’s Messiah and performs Christmas carols as part
of barbershop quartet ‘The Harbour-Side Four’.
James has performed the
role of Strongman with the Oz-Opera Schools tour of Sid the Serpent and is
currently performing with Opera Australia Chorus in Turandot. He has
performed the Bass Solo part in Handel's Messiah while most recently,
he has completed the 'Emerging Artist' position for 2006 with Co-opera where
he performed the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni, as well
as Germont in Verdi's La Traviata, Sharpless & Bonzo in Madam
Butterfly by Pucccini as well as covering Ford and performing in the
original Australian work called "The portrait'. James has
performed with Rockdale Opera Company James playing Baldasarre in Donizetti’s La Favorita,
Lothario in Thomas’ Mignon, and Shadbolt in Yeoman of the Guard.
He also played Bocconio in Lo Sposo Deluso by Mozart and Dr
Pandolpho in a Serva Padrone
by Pergolesi, Angie the Ox in Guys and Dolls
with
The Australian Institute of Music
along with the role of Pish-Tush in Mikado with Shire Opera Company
and the role of Jud-Fry in Oklahoma and ensemble in Pirates of
Penzance.
James is studying under
the guidance of Mr Glenn Winslade.
