Biography

John DiCesare serves as Principal Tuba of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Artist in Residence at the University of Washington.

DiCesare has performed with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, and St. Louis Symphony. He performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival, and previously held the Principal Tuba positions of the Louisville Orchestra and the Colorado Music Festival.

Beyond the orchestra, John is a dedicated chamber musician and soloist. He has appeared as soloist with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra, University of Washington Wind Ensemble, Duquesne University Orchestra, Kent State Orchestra, and Wright State University Band, and has given recitals at ITEA conferences throughout the country.

An active teacher, John presents masterclasses at universities across the country and around the world. In addition to the University of Washington, he has served on the faculties of the University of Puget Sound, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, Indiana University Southeast, and Campbellsville University. His newest project for tuba players is The Total Tubist.

John holds degrees from West Virginia University (DMA), Duquesne University (AD), and Kent State University (MM, BM). His teachers include Craig Knox, Tom Lukowicz, and John Bottomley.

John performs on Meinl Weston instruments, playing the 6450 Baer CC tuba and the 2250 F tuba, and is a Buffet Group Performing Artist.

He lives in Seattle with his wife Mandy and their dog Jackson.