James Micklethwaite is studying for a Masters in Vocal Studies at the Royal College of Music. He is the Drapers’ Company Scholar and studies singing under Russell Smythe. 

James fell in love with singing when, as a child, he performed in a number of productions with Opera North, including as Miles in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. During his gap year, James was a choral scholar at Norwich Cathedral and, whilst studying for a degree in philosophy at the University of Cambridge, he was a member of The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. With King’s he toured extensively in Europe, the US and Australia, and gave solo performances in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Concertgebouw and the Sydney Opera House. He also took part in numerous radio and television broadcasts, including performing as the soloist in Leighton’s Crucifixus Pro Nobis, live on BBC Radio Three. 

Recently, James has played the role of Hippolyte in Rameau’s Hippolyte et Aricie in RCM Opera Scenes, has appeared with RCM colleagues in a performance of Elgar’s The Apostles in the Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and has appeared as soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Handel’s Messiah. Upcoming solo engagements include Bach’s B Minor Mass and Handel’s Alexander’s Feast. A passionate interpreter of song, James is excited to have been selected to travel to Heidelberg in February to compete in Das Lied International Song Competition.