Described as "terrific" by Opera Now magazine, James Oldfield trained as a chorister at Leicester Cathedral whilst holding an academic scholarship at the neighbouring Leicester Grammar School. He then went on to Trinity College, Cambridge where he read Geography and held a Choral Scholarship. After graduating in 2005, James spent a year as a Lay Clerk at St John's College, Cambridge. In September 2006 he became the Sir Thomas Allen Scholar at the Royal College of Music, where he obtained a distinction in postgraduate vocal studies under the tuition of Ashley Stafford.

In July 2009, James completed an Artist Diploma in Opera at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School (BBIOS), affiliated to the RCM. His studies there were generously supported by the Rosemary Bugden and Josephine Baker trusts. His awards and scholarships included the Eric Joseph Shilling Prize for Opera, the inaugural RCM Independent Opera Scholarship and a Sybil Tutton Award holder, administered by the Musicians Benevolent Fund.

James has participated in masterclasses with Robert Tear, Jonathan Viera, Sarah Walker, Petra Lang, Peter Harvey and James Oxley. For BBIOS he performed Figaro (Mozart 'Le nozze di Figaro'), Nick Shadow (Stravinsky 'The Rake's Progress'), and Forester (Janacek 'The Cunning Little Vixen').

In March 2009 James played Clito in the London Handel Festival's 'Alessandro', directed by William Relton. In November took the roles of Sleep Corydon in Purcell 'The Fairy-Queen' for the Retrospect Ensemble and in summer 2010 will be Figaro for Garsington Opera.

James is married to Laura, a secondary school music teacher and singer.

(If you wish to use a biography, please request the most up-to-date version via the Contact page)