John is deeply drawn to the calm energy the instrument produces and how he physically and emotionally resonates with its sounds. Increasingly, he finds a deep sense of connectedness and community with other flute players, musicians, and audiences. For John, Native American Style Flutes and their music offer an elegant and intuitive way to express his feelings, bringing him peace and connection whether playing alone or with others.

As an educator, John’s teaching philosophy is a continuation of principles from his careers in the Army and as a Psychotherapist: “start where the others are, be willing to adapt to meet their needs, and no one gets left behind”. He believes each course is unique, shaped by its students, and begins by helping them become familiar with their instruments and the sounds they can create. While he includes teaching songs to demonstrate the flute’s capabilities, the core of his instruction focuses on empowering students to make the music already inside them, expressing feelings or ideas in a way that resonates with both player and listener. They explore solo play, duets, trios, and playing with other instruments, always with the ultimate goal and intention to have FUN. John always emphasizes that these are Native American Style Flutes, adapted from instruments made by indigenous people for hundreds or thousands of years, and do not represent any particular tribe or culture. He clarifies that modern flutes are tuned to standard pitches for versatility with other instruments, but their common significance lies in their use to express the player’s feelings and indirectly communicate a connection to all of creation.

John initially considered himself an amateur musician, but this began to change about eight years ago in Washington State, where he started facilitating a monthly flute circle and the annual Western Washington Combined Flute Circle. He also taught his first course as a way to recruit for his flute circle. Upon retiring and moving to Massachusetts three years ago, his focus shifted to music. Discovering Porchfests in his new home, he was approached after a performance and asked to teach, leading to multiple “Introduction to Native American Style Flute” courses at various venues. His performance credits include numerous Porchfests, open mics, the Brookline Sounds of Summer, and the New England Folk Festival. John also co-founded the duo Montana Spark with his partner Brenda Fingold, combining Native American Style Flute with guitar, singing, and percussion to explore diverse genres. Beyond teaching, he facilitates a monthly flute circle in Natick and hosts an online “Compass Meeting” for Jonny Lipford’s Horizons Flute School, focusing on playing flutes in service of others. John has found unexpected joy in performing, but “really loves teaching”, which he views as sharing his passion, cherishing moments like a student telling him they never thought they could have music in their life.

John is excited to join the Concord Conservatory of Music community, valuing its recognition of music’s importance for individuals, communities, and society. He appreciates CCM’s role in fostering a vital component of the community and looks forward to the “two-way flow of energy” that comes with sharing music and helping others learn and grow.