John Stubbs has a passion for connecting music with dance and sharing that connection with young musicians who want to learn the fundamentals of conducting.
His mentoring program centers on Tchaikovsky’s score of The Nutcracker, which serves as a rich syllabus for many of conducting’s core challenges. During the dress rehearsal of Golden State Ballet’s Nutcracker production, students may have the opportunity to conduct members of the San Diego Symphony.
Testimonials
“Conducting is typically introduced late in a young musician’s education, but through John’s mentoring I began studying conducting as a high school junior. Being able to both study technique privately with John and apply those skills with the professional musicians of the San Diego Symphony was an invaluable experience.”
Philip Espe
“He is exactly the kind of mentor I need. He does not try to impose his own style on me. Instead, I show him what I can do and he offers his insights.”
William Zauscher
“I greatly admire John’s attention to clarity and textual fidelity. His mentoring highlights the wonderful subtleties of the music and of the art form that is conducting.”
Christopher Song