Professor John Hester began singing in choirs at an early age and studying multiple instruments in the Central Valley of California. Settling on the string bass, he quickly progressed in public school orchestras, State Honor groups, and youth orchestras such as the San Francisco Youth Symphony, Los Angeles Debut Orchestra, and American Youth Symphony. While living in Northern California, he began studies with Charles Siani, Principal Bassist with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Later, while attending California State University at Northridge, he then studied with Ed Meares, Principal Bass of the Pasadena Symphony.
Before graduating from CSUN, Mr. Hester was invited to perform at the Round Top Music Festival under the direction of Heiichiro Ohyama with soloists such as Sheryl Staples and Ralph Kirshbaum. He was also invited to perform the Prokofiev Quintet with Eugene Gratovich, Karen Ritscher, and Kimaree Gilad at the 10th Annual Malibu Strawberry Creek Festival under the direction of Yehuda Gilad. He then later went on to win a major scholarship to California Institute of the Arts, studying with Peter Rofé, Bassist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Mr. Hester has served as Principal Bass of the Dutch International Chamber Orchestra based in Amsterdam, the United Armenian – American Chamber Orchestra based in Yerevan, Armenia, and the Classical Concert Chamber Orchestra. He has both performed and recorded throughout Europe and Scandinavia as well as in Armenia and China. He is currently Associate Principal Bass with The Bakersfield Symphony and has performed with many orchestras around Southern California such as the Pasadena Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Opera, Redlands Symphony, Riverside Philharmonic, San Bernardino Symphony, the Dream Orchestra, as well as many others. An avid chamber musician, he has performed noted premiers by Esa-Pekka Salonen and William Toutant.
As an educator, Mr. Hester has trained aspiring young artists for international television performances with Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra as well as working with students at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He has also enjoyed teaching orchestra in public schools at every level. As Adjunct Faculty, he has taught string bass at Cal. State Northridge, Pepperdine University, California Lutheran University, and California Baptist University. Currently, he teaches string bass and a variety of other music classes at The Master’s University, Ventura College, and Moorpark College all while maintaining an active private teaching studio. Mr. Hester holds a valid California Clear Teaching Credential in Instrumental Music.
