Originally from Mesa, Arizona, John’s performance endeavors have taken him all over the world. He has performed concerts in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and the United States. John has had the opportunity to participate in various master classes and private instruction with virtuosos in the music world. Artists such as the Mana Saxophone Quartet, Wildy Zumwalt, Lawrence Gwozdz, Chien-Kwan Lin, Vincent David, and others. All have shared their insight on the saxophone and education through these workshops, master classes, and lessons. 

In May 2013, John studied with the world renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in Marktoberdorf, Germany. During his stay, he received instruction through lessons, master classes, quartet coachings, and large ensembles. 

In addition to performing solo repertoire, John is a passionate advocate of chamber music. He strives to use these kinds of relationships in music as a basis in his teaching pedagogy. John was a winner of the 2013 NAU Concerto Competition performing Concertino da Camera by Jacques Ibert. On May 26th, 2013 he performed Concertino da Camera with the Northern Arizona University Symphonic Orchestra. 

Currently John resides in Tallahassee, Florida attending Florida State University where he is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Performance. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Performance. His saxophone studies have included work with Patrick Meighan, Jonathan Bergeron, and Bryon Ruth.

Since 2011 the Decho Ensemble, saxophonists Sarah Marchitelli and Jacob Swanson, has been performing on concert series, television, and radio throughout the United States and in Europe. Collaborating with composers, presenting standard repertoire, and adapting old works for two saxophones the Decho Ensemble continues to push boarders and broaden the saxophone’s voice in classical chamber music. As chamber musicians, the duo has collaborated with poets, dance companies, chamber orchestras, and other instrumentalists to present unique and varied programs. 

As educators, Swanson and Marchitelli share their passion for music, the saxophone, and collaboration with their students. Marchitelli serves on faculty at the State University of New York at Fredonia and is the Director of Instruction at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts in Jamestown, New York. Swanson teaches instrumental music for the Gowanda Central School District in Gowanda, New York, the New Horizons Band of Western New York, and Jamestown Community College. Both Marchitelli and Swanson maintain private studios at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts where they founded and co-direct the Infinity Saxophone Ensemble.

Since their establishment, the Decho Ensemble has collaborated with composers Charles Terranova, Peter Edwards, Dan Knorr, Scott Miller, Nathan Hall, David Marc Alterman, Frank Zabel, Michael McGough, Kate Parker, and Tim Bausch to create new works for two saxophones - some with electronic media. In addition to performing on series the Decho Ensemble  has presented at The United States Navy International Saxophone Symposium in Winchester, Virginia and Fairfax, Virginia as well as the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference in Champagne-Urbana, Illinois. 

The Decho Ensemble performs on Buescher saxophones built in the 1930s in the United States.

Music person trying to do more music things!

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