2019 - Junior Vocal

James Harrison, Baritone

James Harrison studied at the Royal College of Music where he won the prestigious Lies Askonas Prize, then went on to the National Opera Studio. He has recently moved back to New Zealand and is now in demand here as both a performer and teacher. James has appeared in concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican, The Wigmore Hall and St John’s Smith Square with groups such as The Prince Consort, Grahame Johnson’s Young Songmakers and The Classical Opera Company.

James has recently sung in Tosca, Candide, Trial By Jury and Carmen for New Zealand Opera.

Prior to moving back to New Zealand he made his debut for English National Opera in Between Worlds and sang at the Royal Opera House in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Other roles include Conte Alamaviva/Le Nozze di Figaro for Opera Sør/Pop-Up Opera in Norway; Escamillo/Carmen for Opera UpClose; Bello/La Fanciulla del West for Opera Holland Park and Hortensius La Fille du Regiment/Opera della Luna. James has also covered roles for English National Opera, Opera North and Garsington.

James is in demand as a teacher and choral educator, working with some of Auckland’s top school choirs and as a guest coach with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Emerging Artists at New Zealand Opera, and the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.

Later this year James will appear with New Zealand Opera, Auckland Choral Society, Bach Musica and the Takiri Ensemble.