After completing a music degree at the University of Surrey, Rachel James furthered her study of composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Masters in Composition, followed by a Masters in Composition for Screen from the Royal College of Music in London. One of her film scores, Five O’Clock Shadow, has won many competitions and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. Rachel has studied with composers Joseph Horovitz, David Burnand, Malcolm Singer and Alan Bullard and is presently working with EMMY nominated composer Guy Michelmore. Rachel has taught composition, ‘cello, piano, saxophone and music theory for over 13 years to students of all ages and levels privately as well as in Schools such as Fulham Prep School in London. She also also taught at educational workshops at the Wigmore Hall in London as well as tutoring for the Essex Youth Orchestra. As a performer, she has been the principal 'cellist for every orchestra she has player for including the LPYO, WSO, EYO, EYPO and also recorded on several film scores, including feature film 'Kenneth' and 'The Elephant King.'