James Hodgkinson Biography 2022

Hi I’m James and I’m only fifteen. I think I’ve managed to pack quite a lot into a short time though. Music is my passion but I do enjoy sailing, football and antique collecting too.

I live in Kent with Mum and Dad. We’ve all had to work hard to allow me to follow my dream.

Mum and Dad tell me I could sing in tune before I was 2. I’ve seen the videos so I know they are right.

When I was 5 The Head at my first school realised I had something different, and perhaps special.

I had singing lessons aged 5 and at 6 I knew I wanted to sing more and more.

We used to go on holiday each year to Portugal, and from the age of 5 until 2 years ago I sang in the theatre and have played the piano and sung in the bar.

When I was 6 I auditioned for the Canterbury Cathedral Choir and won a scholarship starting when I was 8. I had to board which was not so good, but during the next 5 years I gained a great classical choral education and attended a school with a strong music tradition where, as well as academic study, I had lessons on the piano and cello and also music theory. There were many opportunities to perform outside my choristership.

As a chorister I sang 6 days a week in the Cathedral, all the Christmas and Easter services and numerous concerts. I had the opportunity to perform many difficult and exposed solos. We sang in the Vatican, and toured America for 2 weeks singing 7 concerts and 2 church services. We covered thousands of miles from Los Angeles to Summit New Jersey.

Having left Canterbury I need to find new opportunities to sing. At least, as I’m no longer a chorister, I don’t have to get up at 6.20am!!!

I’ve been a member of the local community choir singing in churches and care homes whenever I can. I’ve sung solos at weddings and I sang outside our house for Clap for Carers.

I appeared on ITV’s Voice Kids in 2020, singing a classical version of You’ll Never Walk Alone and succeeded in getting through to the Battles.

I was also the reserve semi-finalist on the BBC’s Songs of Praise Young Chorister in the same year.

I also recorded a demo CD of 5 songs with my soprano voice, and thank Pat at Gemini Studios for all his help–all very exciting.

In August this last year I appeared on Scala Radio as Angellica Bell’s Young Artist of the Week. 

I’ve now settled down in Kent, and am delighted to be continuing my musical journey with the support of my parents, teachers and friends.  

I want to sing for my career, maybe opera. I’ve had this target for some time and this has spurred me on to develop my musicianship. I got ABRSM grade 5 Theory at the age of 10 and Grade 8 singing with distinction when I was 12.

I achieved an ARSM Performance Diploma in Singing with Merit with my treble voice, and I recently gained an ATCL Singing Diploma with distinction with my tenor voice, which I’m really proud of. 

I love performing and look for, and welcome, every opportunity to sing.

I hope I achieve my dream. It won’t be for the want of trying!