John V. — Saxophone Teacher — Symbiocité, La Prairie

John Vana is originally from Michigan, U.S.A.. He taught saxophone for 32 years before retiring in 2021 as Professor of Saxophone at Western Illinois University. He received the 2004 Outstanding Teacher Award for Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching at WIU. He earned his Master's Degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Michigan and served as the Saxophone Studio Sabbatical Replacement for famed Professor Donald Sinta, simultaneously earning the Lawrence Teal Memorial Scholarship. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Saxophone Performance from DePauw University on the Honor Performance Scholarship. He has made three recordings: The Interactive Saxophone, Christmas With The San Francisco Saxophone Quartet, and Doo Dah: The Music Of William Albright. He has given recitals and masterclasses at National Taiwan School of the Arts, McGill University, Université de Montréal, New England Conservatory, University of North Texas, Pennsylvania State University, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Florida, University of Alabama, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Northern Colorado, University of Louisville, Memphis State University, Ball State University, Austin Peay State University, Ohio University, Indiana State University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, Bradley University, Knox College, Augustana College, and Millikin University, to name a few. He has performed world premieres of works by renowned composers Gunther Schuller, John Harbison, Larry Thomas Bell, Harold Levin, and Paul Paccione. He recently moved to Montréal with his wife and three children.

•In the classical style, I teach strong fundamentals (tone, vibrato, pitch, facility) with a major emphasis on expression •In jazz, I help to develop sound and facility. We will also work on approaches to playing accurate chord changes while at the same time playing interesting harmonic ideas and rhythmically diverse solos. •I'm a strong believer in self-motivation. The harder you work with diligence, the farther you'll go.