Jon James

Jonathan James is a freelance conductor and speaker on music, having been Head of Performing Arts and Director of Music at the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts in Bristol. He had private tuition at the Royal College of Music in Conducting, and further conductor training in Germany and at various international masterclasses. In 1996 He founded the New Bristol Sinfonia, a 90-piece semi-professional orchestra which he ran for six years. He then freelanced in the UK, Europe and the States and was a Fellow with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently he is the regular conductor for the Bristol Ensemble, a professional chamber orchestra based in the city.

At SWADA, he headed up a prestigious team that delivered an intensive one-year music performance course in all styles, from classical through to pop, rock and jazz. He has been responsible for mentoring and coaching teachers and students and really enjoys the challenges involved in setting and achieving inspiring goals.

Jonathan is in demand as a speaker and on classical and jazz music, giving popular pre-concert lectures at a number of venues including Bristol’s Colston Hall.   He is a keen jazz pianist and freelances regularly as part of the Kingmaker Duo. 

http://www.kingmakerduo.co.uk