John MacKenzie

John was born in London and studied clarinet at the Royal Academy of Music with Georgina Dobree, the Colchester Institute of Performing Arts, the Trent Park College of Education and the Open University. He has held a number of posts in music education both in the classroom and as an instrumental music teacher. His last full time teaching post was with the Tees Valley Music Service where he was Head of the Instrumental and Vocal Teaching Faculty. During his time with TVMS he formed and conducted the Tees Valley Youth Wind Orchestra

John is a director of the Clarinet & Saxophone Society of Great Britain and since 1986 has been responsible for the organisations finances. In 1995 he formed the British Clarinet Ensemble that has performed world wide, commissioning new music and recording three CD recordings.

John is active in the north east of England as a free lance clarinettist and saxophonist and conductor currently being musical director of the Darlington Clarinet Ensemble the Gainford Singers and the Michelmas Singers. He is also a member of the board of directors of Platform an organisation supporting classical music in the Tees Valley.

For further information concerning organisations John is connected with visit:

http://www.cassgb.org

http://www.britishclarinetensemble.co.uk

http://www.gainfordsingers.co.uk

http://www.platformteesvalley.org.uk