James started playing around with a keyboard while in a high chair, and his formal lessons started at 5 years old. He presently is 21 years old and he has studied classical piano under Yuriy Oliynyk, B. Mus., M.A.., Aiko Hamaguchi, and also Alan Knight, and Jazz piano under Tom Whinnery,, and drums under Larry Schiavone, and guitar under Steve Randall.
Starting when James was eight he performed at the Sacramento Ragtime Society, Sacramento Jazz Society (tailgate room), retirement homes, restaurants, hotels, charity events, and anywhere he could find a piano. He has a website dedicated to his early years in music (www.aloveofmusic.com). James finished high school early with straight A grades while studying music 4 hours a day under six music teachers. James now is in the process of starting a recording studio in Tennessee (www.milanrecordingstudios.com ) as well as attending ETSU under a full scholarship studying with Yi-Yang Chen for classical piano performance.