James received his Bachelors Degree in Music at UBC and has since completed his Masters Degree. He has been a high school Music Educator for many years. His performance ensembles have consistently been among the finest in the lower mainland. James, a former Fine Arts Coordinator for Coquitlam School District, has adjudicated music festivals, given clinics to many bands and choirs and was Music Director for several large churches in the lower mainland.
James is perhaps best known as a Musical Director for local theatre companies. He is the long-time Musical Director of Royal City Musical Theatre Company (RCMT). Having been their music director for their 23 year history, he has provided outstanding music for each production, including last year's critically acclaimed show ''Will Rogers' Follies''. He is currently working on RCMT's upcoming production of ''Hello Dolly'' for 2012, celebrating RCMT's 23rd anniversary. Also, James has been the musical director for Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), having recently directed the music for their production of ''Grease''. James is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the many singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and directors of the many shows he has directed. In fact many of his musical theatre friends have been a part of the James Productions cast. He counts 42nd Street, Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story among his favourite shows.
After years in the musical theatre business and experiencing the wide variety of talent in Vancouver theatre houses, James decided to invite many of his musical friends to join him as he formed James Productions (JP). In 1999, JP presented its first show, ''Christmas Pops''. JP has since produced ''A Tribute to Broadway'' and ''Encore'', a youth show.