Violist James Wannan is based in Sydney, having previously studied viola with Alice Waten in Melbourne and viola d’amore in Vienna with Marianne Rônez. He explores his passion for music from ancient to contemporary on a number of instruments.

In 2015 James performed as violin soloist in Elliott Gyger’s opera Fly Away Peter featured at the Melbourne Festival, recorded a CD of music by Jack Symonds, collaborated on five Australian premieres and toured to China with the Sydney Symphony.

2016 will see James perform oud in the Sydney Festival with SCO and viola d’amore soloist in the Biennale of Sydney. He will tour as principal violist of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, premier a new viola d’amore concerto at the Bendigo New Music Festival and record the Sonatas of Brahms with pianist Ben Kopp.

As a soloist James has worked with orchestras including the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has performed as a viola d’amore soloist in festivals in Austria and Germany, and has been invited to perform as guest principal viola with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He toured Europe as principal viola of the Asia Pacific United Orchestra.