John traded in his suitcase and scholar’s gown to bring the world to his Preschool through 4th grade students. His passion for teaching and love of knowledge catapulted him through 6 years of primary education in both the public and private school and now in the Montessori preschool setting. John strove to have all voices heard and represented in his classroom, with a special focus on hands-on discovery, art, social-emotional development, and social justice learning.
A former family camper himself, John is now the person to contact about staff hiring, class selection, and what to expect at camp.
One of many reasons to love camp is, that family camp is an opportunity to take a step outside your comfort zone, be a lead in the play or be a clown for a week.
In 2017, John was a member of a group of dedicated family campers that helped establish a second family camp site in the Northwest, Caz NW. Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp now has twice the ways to reach families and bring art making into their lives.
www.cazfamilycamp.org
After retiring from the ballet world, John enrolled at Columbia University in the city of New York. There he enjoyed learning about world affairs and US politics, exchanging with his famous classmates and professors, rowing on the crew team, and expanding his world view. Being able to go to college at a later age was something special for John, who never thought he’d be able to go get a degree. John liked school so much, he studied aboard in Brazil, Italy, and Tibet. After AmeriCorp and a Master’s Degree in East Asian Studies, he finally returned home to begin student teaching and earn his second masters degree in education.
John was honored to be asked to join Michael Smuin’s company on Christmas 2001. He danced both lead and original roles with Smuin Ballet from 2001-2005. Pictured here, “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Beatles,” “Tango Palace,” and “The Christmas Ballet.” In 2005, John retired from dancing with his final performance being “Fly Me to the Moon” in New York City.
Video:
Second couple, “Ruhig,” Smuin Ballet by Amy Seiwert (2004)
Reviews:
Sinatra Ballet, Smuin Ballet, 2005
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2005/03/01/smuins-multitalented-dancers-fly-audience-to-the-moon/
Smuin Ballet 10th Anniversary Show, Smuin Ballet, 2004
https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Smuin-honors-10-years-with-unchallenging-2761334.php
Tango Ballet, Smuin Ballet, 2003
https://archives.danceviewtimes.com/dvw/reviews/2003/tango.htm
John returned to the Bay Area and danced both soloist and principal dancer roles from 2000 to 2001. Some of his many roles were from works by Val Caniparoli, Ron Guidi, Michael Lowe, and the lead in a historic staging of Giselle by Fredric Franklin (pictured here).
Reviews:
2001 Oakland Ballet, Giselle (picture only)
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/REVIEW-Oakland-Ballet-finishes-on-a-high-note-2853355.php
2000 Oakland Ballet, Crystal Slipper
https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Smuin-honors-10-years-with-unchallenging-2761334.php
Right after high school, John moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to dance with a talented choreographer, dancer, and director named James Sewell. During his time in Minnesota, John toured across the US and Bermuda in many classical and contemporary ballet roles.
Reviews:
“Don Quixote,” James Sewell Ballet, Royal Gazette, Bermuda, 1999
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/19990319/ISLAND/303199965