Musical Theatre Coach | Visiting Lecturer & Director at LIPA | Vocal Technique, Acting & Audition Prep

I had a fantastic experience working with James Markham. I was going for a major part in a production and needed extra help. From the very first session, it was clear that this would be a deep and rewarding process—he really puts you through your paces in the best way possible, challenging you to think critically and dig beneath the surface of the text.

One of the most valuable aspects of his coaching was the way he used punctuation as a roadmap to uncover meaning and intention in the script. By breaking down the text line by line, we were able to find the natural rhythm and emotional arc of the piece, which made the delivery feel both authentic and intentional.

We also spent time exploring the character’s worldview—looking closely at the text for clues about how she sees herself and the world around her. This had a huge impact on how I approached the delivery of each line, helping me find a deeper connection to the character’s perspective and emotional truth.

When it came to a song with a list-like structure, James guided me through each memory as if it were its own moment. Rather than letting the list feel repetitive or flat, we broke down every image and found a way to connect personally to each one—bringing it to life with specificity and emotional variety.

A really powerful tool he introduced was using her eyeline as a focus point to project each memory outward. This created a dynamic sense that I wasn’t just recalling the past, but actively responding to it in the moment. It made the performance feel present, alive, and connected.

If you're looking for a coach who is insightful, encouraging, and truly invested in helping you grow as an artist, I couldn’t recommend James more highly.

By the way, I got the part. Thanks for the help James!

James is an exceptional vocal coach. His tailored exercises, precise feedback, and calm coaching style are helping me develop a stronger, more chest-dominant sound while still feeling comfortable and supported. I left the lesson with practical tools and techniques I can use every day to build power and resonance without strain.

James is an excellent practitioner with a wide range of experiences and skills, making him the best choice for lessons. He is friendly and knowledgable and approaches his teaching with the highest standard and professionalism to get the best out of the performers he works with. You’ll be in the best hands with James.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with James professionally, and James always had great advice that involved a few different elements in relation to adding more depth or skill to a performance. Notably 2 things that I learned. Singing technique, focusing on accent method, in which he trained and still trains himself, which is a framework of utilising a great breathing technique, which is the base of singing. Another notable skill which James is passionate about is Acting technique and Acting through song. He can help you question your intention and action behind every line or thought, to help acquire a nuanced performance. He’s a teacher that cares about working towards getting the best or most interesting result.

James is amazing. I don’t know how he has done it, but after only two lessons I can hear a massive improvement in my voice.

His understanding of how the voice works and its relationship with breathing is outstanding. He explains it really well and will persevere until you find your own way of understanding.