James Squire

James Squire serves as Accompanist Manager at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) while also holding a lecturer position at Leeds Conservatoire and guest tutor role at Leeds Junior Conservatoire. With over 25 years of professional experience, he is a versatile multi-instrumentalist proficient in flute, saxophone, clarinet, percussion and voice across jazz, pop, classical, folk and free improvisation genres.

His educational credentials include a BSc (Hons) in Music from City University, an Advanced Certificate in Performance & Communication Skills from Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and a PGCE in Secondary Music from the University of Huddersfield.

Squire's professional practice centers on creative collaboration across art forms, with research interests focusing on practical approaches to musical skill development, embodying rhythm, and integrating sound with movement. His work spans educational, community, and professional performance settings.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prestigious organizations including:

• BBC Philharmonic
• Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
• Opera North
• Northern Ballet
• Wakefield Cathedral
• Yorkshire Youth & Music

Notable artistic achievements include:

• Co-devising and performing "Mills and Moors" for Marsden Jazz Festival (2012)
• Serving as Musical Director for "Walk the Talk" with National Youth Dance Wales (2003)
• Conducting the world premiere of Alvin Curran's "Oh Man, Oh Mankind, Oh Yeah" in Huddersfield Town Hall (2009)

He has toured internationally with RJC Dance and JazzXchange Music & Dance Companies, performing with artists including Zoe Rahman, Winston Clifford, and members of Barak Schmool's F-ire Collective. Earlier in his career, he performed with Welfare State International, Diversity Dance, and West Yorkshire Playhouse.