John began studying the violin at the age of 8, and he truly has a burning passion for music and this passion, which has been expressed upon multiple instruments, has driven him to attend numerous summer music festivals and to compete in multiple competitions in locations ranging from British Columbia, Canada, to Sydney, Australia. Upon graduation from high school, he was named the National Gold Medal Winner of the 2013 NAACP ACT-SO Competition and 2013 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 7th District Talent Hunt. John has also had the distinguished honor of performing in the presence of keynote speaker and former President Bill Clinton at the 2013 Medgar Evers 50th Anniversary Celebration at the National Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. 

 

John graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music in May of 2017, where he obtained his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Highest Honors. While at the University of Southern Mississippi, John was also the 2016 award recipient of The Presser Foundation’s Undergraduate Scholar Award, the Kennard -Washington Distinguished Man of the Year award, and the 2016 Afro-American Student Organization’s Outstanding Leadership Award. He furthered his musical studies by pursuing a Master of Music at Louisiana State University’s School of Music, where he successfully led the symphony orchestra as concertmaster during its 2017 to 2019 concert season.  In March of 2019, John achieved worldwide recognition for his stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was viewed more than 6.5 million times.  In October 2022, John had a guest appearance on the “Jennifer Hudson Show” where he showcased his world-renowned violin skills. John is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at The University of Southern Mississippi.  John's passion and persistence to perform as a violinist has allowed him to be regarded as a musical artist who brings a unique sense of artistry, emotions, and personal interpretations to his audiences.