[6] The family moved frequently when James was a child, going from Pocatello, Idaho to Utah, Tennessee, and eventually Modesto, California where she spent her high school years.

At the age of 17, James realized it was her dream to attend The Juilliard School in New York City, and after auditioning, she was eventually wait-listed and then rejected.

[7] After college, James initially struggled to find work and looked for jobs that enabled her to use both her operatic and classical training.

[7] James did not make her Broadway debut until 2010 in the musical production of The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.

[1][9] While on Broadway she moonlighted as a solo artist, with a backing band often composed of Chris Fenwick, Matt Fieldes, Damien Bassman, among others.

[11][14] She has played at numerous New York City clubs, including (Le) Poisson Rouge,[14] 54 Below,[1] Rockwood Music Hall,[12] and Birdland.

[19] In 2020, James, alongside Broadway legends Cynthia Erivo, Orfeh, Shoshana Bean and Ledisi, was featured on the all-female EP, She is Risen, which covers songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar.