John A. Flaver is currently serving as a middle school teacher of instrumental music education with the Westhill Central School District in Syracuse, New York. Prior to his appointment at Westhill, he taught in the school districts of Vernon-Verona Sherrill, Fayetteville Manlius, and Lafayette. John also served as a Visiting Lecturer of Clarinet at Ithaca College. Mr. Flaver earned his undergraduate degree from Temple University, and his graduate degree from the Catholic University of America. His clarinet teachers included Robert Schmidt of Ithaca College and Anthony Gigliotti of the Philadelphia Orchestra. His band mentor is Edward Lisk of Oswego, New York.
Mr. Flaver's professional performing experience included three years with The United States Army Band (Pershings Own) in Washington D.C., eight years with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and two summer seasons with the Lake Placid Center Orchestra. Mr. Flaver has written articles related to Clarinet Pedagogy, as well as presented clarinet clinics at Ithaca College, SUNY Potsdam, Syracuse University, and the NYSSMA Winter Conference. John has made numerous presentations on Alternative Rehearsal Techniques for the Elementary Band, and has guest conducted many All County Bands. Mr. Flaver is the recipient of the National Band Association's “Citation of Excellence,” the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra's Outstanding Instrumental Music Educator Award in Central New York for 1996, and inclusion in Who's Who Among American Teachers for 1998. He has been music director for the Junior Summerfame program for the past eleven years.
Mr. Flaver's private clarinet studio has prepared students who have gone on to study at Eastman, Fredonia, Ithaca, Juilliard, Michigan, Oberlin, Onondaga Community College, Potsdam, Syracuse University, and Temple University. Several of his former students are now performing with the West Point Band and the Marine Band. In addition, a number of his former students are now teaching instrumental music education in the public schools and at the college level.