John was raised in Independence Kansas and Yukon Oklahoma. John is a performer, writer, producer and teacher. John currently serves on the music faculty at Independence Community College, where he has taught classical, since August of 2000. John also owns and operates his own private guitar studio in downtown Independence Kansas (Est. 1997). John first started studing guitar when he was six years old, with classical guitarist Davis Smart of Independence. Who now teaches classical guitar at Mid America University in Olathe Kansas. Mr. Smart taught John the fundamentals of music for two years, before moving to Nashville, TN, to pursue his own music career. John's family searched the area for a new guitar teacher, but with no luck. Until guitarist Nona Boyd (Singer, Songwriter) agreed to teach John at the age of eight years old. Very surprised to have such a young student that had the fundamentals of reading music, and playing classical. John studied with Mrs. Boyd for six years, where he learned to play several different styles of music (Rock, Country, Blues, Gospel and a little Jazz). His first band experience started in 8th grade, with a three piece, that played a few parties and a school talent show. John was hooked, he knew that music was what he wanted to do the rest of his life. At the age of fourteen, John's family moved to Yukon Oklahoma, just outside of Oklahoma City. The search began again for a new instuctor. After bouncing from teacher to teacher, John could'nt find the instruction he was looking for, until he meet Solo Guitarist Edgar Cruz (Mentor and Teacher). Mr. Cruz was performing at the Festival of the Arts in downtown OKC. That's when I knew I found my Teacher. He was playing Spanish, Flamenco, Jazz, Rock, Bluegrass, Guitar Arrangements of all different styles of music and traditional Classical pieces. John began his studies with Mr. Cruz in his private guitar studio, in Nichols Hills,OK for five years. After graduating with the highest honors. John went on to perform for Weddings, Banquets, Arts Festivals and many other kinds of special events. John's next big step was to study music at Oklahoma City University, where he studied classical guitar under the direction of distinguished guitarist , Hector Garcia and Mike Millard. Both Professors invited John to attend the "1994" National Guitar Seminar in Dallas, TX, with students and Professors of guitar from thoughtout the United States. Today John Performs, Arranges, Publishes, Distributes and Markets his music around the world. Besides performing in his home states of Kansas and Oklahoma. John spends most of his time touring the United States, where he has been received with many a warm audiences and critically acclaimed performances for Governor Bill Graves of Kansas, Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma, State Senators, Major Corporations and Music Festivals. His academic background has prepared him to play a variety of settings that help give him a diverse, but practical edge to his performance and teaching. John has a broad-range command of the instrument that includes Spanish, Jazz, Pop, Blues and Original Compostions, in addition to his traditional Classical Guitar Repertoire. John's training and performance experience has given him the musical and personal background to play his music, in any situation, and his music reflects this wide-range experience. John has recorded 4 Cd's that are for sell on his offical website. (1) Solo Impressions (2) Silk & Steel (3) A Classical Christmas (4) Addited. John's 5th Cd is in the works, and should be released in April 2007.
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