Johnny started playing clarinet at the young age of 8 years. Old.  He was taught by his father and he played in a town band (local band). John received the equivalent of a Masters Degree of Music in Clarinet Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Following graduation he received an invitation to become a solo clarinetist in the Canadian Armed Forces Band. (1955) He spent some time in Germany and played all over Europe and the Middle East as part of the United Nations Emergency Force. He transferred to the Canadian Air Force Band. (1962)

After coming out of the Air Force John taught music at Central Technical School in Toronto. While teaching at Central Tech. he enrolled at University of Toronto and obtained his teaching & conductor's certification. During that time performed as a free lance musician at The Hummingbird Center (now Sony Centre), Princess of Wales Theater and other theater venues. 

In 1967 John was invited to set up a music program at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School in Peterborough. While teaching at Thomas A. Stewart he was given the opportunity to join the RCMP Band as woodwind section leader playing flute & clarinet & saxophones.  Stationed in Ottawa he received a Canada Council Grant to study flute with Norah Schulman (principal flutist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.  John also studied clarinet with James Morton (principal clarinetist of the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa, and Anthony Gigliotti (principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra) and studied bassoon with Gerald Corey of the National Arts Center Orchestra.  John also played with the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa and traveled all over Canada, USA, & Mexico with the RCMP Band. (1973 –1976)

Following the RCMP career John set up the instrumental music program at Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute.
John was one of the founding members of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and he conducted the Peterborough Concert Band for a number of years.  Over the years he has played in many different bands and ensembles.  He played clarinet with the Cobourg Concert Band and saxophone (alto or tenor) with the Royals Dance Band.

At the present time John plays clarinet with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (saxophone also when needed), clarinet & is an assistant to the conductor with the Peterborough Concert Band.  John is often called on to play with the Ron Marenger Big Band and he still plays jazz at local venues.

John is enjoying coaching and conducting in the New Horizons Band as well as teaching privately.  He is married and he has a blended family of five children and 5 grandchildren (so far).