Rippingale, James

Classical Guitarist James Rippingale discovered a love of music at an early age and, after receiving an acoustic guitar one Christmas morning, James explored many different styles from Blues and Rock to Jazz and Flamenco and loved to improvise his own music. At age 17 James was blessed to meet a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and fell deeply in love with the classical guitar, it’s rich and delicate sound world and incredible repertoire. He set his mind to studying this amazing instrument and went on to complete a degree at Leeds College of Music and travel extensively seeking out the great players and teachers he most admired and learning from them.

James has played concerts across the UK and abroad. He loves to play an eclectic blend of repertoire from the rich music of Spain to the renaissance pieces, modern repertoire and his own compositions. Concerts often include pieces from Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, Germany, America and beyond and are fuelled by a great curiosity and love of music and the guitar. He now teaches at Wells Cathedral School as a specialist classical guitar teacher and is able to share the art he loves with young players and enthusiasts.

James met double bassist and composer David Heyes while working at Wells Cathedral School and is grateful to have played with him at many concerts. This current arrangement is the result of them generating new repertoire for a lunchtime recital together in 2025.

James lives in the magical town of Glastonbury UK with his partner Sophie and their cats.