Bio
A student of the renowned pianist and pedagogue Martin Katz, John has been in the business of musical collaboration since childhood, playing lead guitar, bass and piano in rock bands, jazz groups and pit orchestras. Before earning his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in 2018, he studied voice, composition, jazz piano and choral conducting. His original composition for piano trio won first prize in the Northern Illinois University Chamber Music Competition, and his playing has been featured on radio stations including WNIJ and Iowa Public Radio.
John completed his doctoral studies in Collaborative Piano at the University of Michigan in May 2025, where his dissertation recitals featured Schubert’s Winterreise and Amy Beach’s Violin Sonata. While working on his degree, he developed a deep passion for opera and served as coach and pianist for numerous productions including Elizabeth Cree, The Turn of the Screw, Gianni Schicchi and Cendrillon. John was awarded the inaugural Collaborative Pianist Prize in the George Shirley Vocal Competition, and his recent projects include multiple world premiere performances, a lecture performance of Magnus Lindberg’s Violin Concerto No. 2, and Brahms’ Liebeslieder-Walzer with Martin Katz and members of the University of Michigan voice faculty.
Besides his fondness for reading, birdwatching and plane-spotting, John loves to join his wife in conspiring to dress their pets in silly costumes, perfecting their at-home barista skills, and miniature golfing.