James is from Waterford City,Ireland, and while a student at University College, Dublin he joined the O'Toole's in November 2016 – the following year being his first season with the band.
James started on practice chanter at age 7 and graduated to pipes at age 9.
He was initially tutored by his father, John Stone, and had some further tuition from the late Stephen Power, but he now receives tuition from Ronan Maguire, who helped him to achieve first prize at the Irish Piobaireachd Society Open Competition this year .
His older brother, David, was the biggest influence on his piping career as he watched him compete and be successful in both solo and band competitions.
Luckily, he is now beginning to follow in his footsteps on the solo piping scene in
Ireland and hopes to progress and develop his piping skills both in the band and as a solo player.
When not practicing his tunes, you’ll find him on the GAA field playing hurling for his local club, De La Salle.