John grew up in Norfolk (Nawfawk), Va. He started playing the violin in the second grade. Obviously he was born to be a musician! He began playing the trombone in the sixth grade, and the French horn in the seventh. Nowadays he seems to play every instrument in the band and often fills in for missing people. He's often found in the trumpet section but he's a very good drummer too! He looks most natural when standing over his conductor's music stand and leading us with his baton. (See above photo for confirmation.)

He attended Maury High School, then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from West Va. University, then his Masters degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va.

John's been teaching for the last 24 years in various school systems in our area. He's taught music to kindergarten through 12th grade kids. He spent 16 years in Warren County, 2 years in Clarke County, and he's been in Frederick County for the last 6 years. His job now is Director of Instrumental Music at James Wood Middle School in Winchester, Va.