John DeFerraro

Mr. John DeFerraro is the Director of Choral Activities at Conner High School in Hebron, KY. Under his direction, choirs consistently earn State Distinguished Ratings with Sweepstakes honors, and have collaborated with internationally recognized artists, such as the African Children’s Choir, Point of Grace, and the Fillmore Wind Band. He was recently honored to be selected as one of the nation's Premiere Choral Conductors by Music for All.

An active clinician and conductor, John is regularly engaged to perform, coach, and conduct music of all varieties (including opera companies, choirs, orchestras, bands, and drum corps) on regional and national stages throughout the United States, in addition to recent international solo and ensemble performances in Europe.

John was born in the beautiful Midwestern town of Louisville, Kentucky, and has dedicated his life to increasing the quality of choral arts programs within his home state and across the nation. John is a member of KMEA, ACDA, NAfME, CASA, and AEA, and regularly serves as a clinician, guest conductor, elected official, arranger, producer, and as a contributor to several committees.
John earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, studying with Dr. Jefferson Johnson, Dr. Lori Hetzel, and Prof. Jennifer Lane. He earned a Master of Arts in Education and Choral & Orchestral Conducting from Western Kentucky University, studying with Prof. Elizabeth Volkman, Dr. Bill Scott, Dr. Paul Hondorp, and Dr. Robyn Swanson.

Professional Organizations

• Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA)
        State Choral Council Member for District 6
• American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
        Southern Division R&R Chair, Contemporary Choral Music
• A Cappella Educators Association (AEA)
        National Treasurer and Board Member
• Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA)
        Nominator and Judge for the CARA Awards
• National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
        National Recruiting and Mentoring task force
• Music for All National Choir Festival (MFA)
        Premiere Choral Conductor, ENVOY Committee member

Produced Events

• Voices in Harmony (KY) A Cappella Festival
        Event Co-Producer
• The National A Cappella Convention
        Event Co-Producer, Honor Choir Coordinator
• Deke Sharon's Camp A Cappella
        Director of Education and Small Group Coordinator

Upcoming Engagements

TBD

Recent Clinic Sessions

• "Making A Cappella Accessible"
        Presented at the 2020 ACDA Southern Division Conference
• Guest Conductor, Fillmore Wind Band
        Conner HS Combined Choir, performed in 2019
• Conductor, Music for All National Choir Festival
        Conner HS Chamber Choir, performed in 2018
• Conductor, KMEA State Music Educators Conference
        Conner HS Chamber Choir, performed in 2018
• "Procuring A Cappella Arrangements"
        Presented at the 2018 ACDA Southern Division Conference
• Small Group Clinician
        Presented at the 2017 National A Cappella Convention
• "Choral Music for the Developing Ensemble"
        Presented at the 2016 KMEA In-Service Conference
• "Purchasing a Sound System"
        Presented at the 2016 National A Cappella Convention
• "A Cappella Music for All"
        Presented at the 2015 National A Cappella Convention
                and at Camp A Cappella 2015