Claire grew up in Lincolnshire where she began learning the piano and flute at an early age. In 2011, Claire graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a First Class honours degree, having studied piano with Sallyann McLeod. She also holds an FRSM with distinction in Piano Performance and an MA in Musicology with distinction from The Open University.

Claire is a passionate educator and has gained over 12 years experience as both a private piano teacher and as a peripatetic piano teacher in schools. Claire has taught at Wycombe Abbey School (High Wycombe), Donhead Preparatory School (Wimbledon), Holy Cross School (New Malden) and for Surrey Arts Music Hub. Currently, Claire teaches at Oldham Hulme Grammar School, Casterton Sedbergh Prep School and Eaton House The Manor School. She is also a Grade and Jazz Examiner for the ABRSM. Her and her husband Rob Cope run a private teaching practice from their home in Sandbach, Cheshire.

In the same year, she won the RNCM John Ireland Prize and the Principal’s Prize for Improvisation. Claire has performed across the UK as a soloist and with various ensembles, including at the Manchester Jazz Festival, the London Jazz Festival and as part of the BBC Proms plus Series. She has released an EP with the 'Claire James Trio' in 2011, and in 2020