James Judd grew up in Hertford, learning the piano, flute and organ as a child and discovering his talent for conducting at high school.
[2][6] In 2014, Judd became music director of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion.
In September 2016, Judd was appointed artistic director and principal conductor of the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea.
[8] Judd has returned to New Zealand to live while holding the position of artistic director and principal conductor of the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea.
[2] Judd and his wife Valerie, a former member of the New World Symphony Orchestra,[9] have a daughter.