James Woodrow combines a varied performing and teaching career on both modern and baroque violins.

James studied violin at the Royal Northern College of Music, principally under Steven Wilkie, gaining a first class honours degree. During his studies he was awarded the Roger Raphael, Schubert and Nossek prizes for chamber music.

James’s interest in orchestral playing developed during his two years with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He has played with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Skipton Camerata (regularly as principal second violin) and with Manchester Concert Orchestra amongst others. He has played on over a dozen commercial recordings as an orchestral player, including several recordings with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Solo recitals include St Martin-in-the-Fields, Bradford Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, Whitworth Art Gallery and St Ann’s, Manchester. He has recently performed the Bach Double Violin Concerto with both Skipton Camerata and the Piccadilly Sinfonietta.

On baroque violin, he has performed with Manchester Baroque, Baroque in the North, Musical and Amicable Society, Noxwode, English Haydn Festival Orchestra, Fiori Musicali, Hanover Band, 18th Century Sinfonia and the International Baroque Players.

In addition to his performing career, James has a strong dedication to teaching. He maintains a busy private teaching practice in Manchester and previously taught at William Hulme’s Grammar School and Solihull School. As an extension to his teaching and performing activities, he enjoys conducting amateur orchestras. He has worked as deputy conductor with Bolton Symphony Orchestra, Paddock Orchestra, Airedale Symphony Orchestra, Lowry Strings, South Ribble Strings and Huddersfield Singers.