John Tomkins was appointed Principal Bassoonist for the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra by Maestro Ryan Haskins in 2009. John holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Masters degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music. He has attended many music festivals, including the Festival-Institute at Round Top, the National Orchestral Institute, Kent/Blossom Music, and Tanglewood Music Center. His primary teachers include Joseph Hesseman, Christopher Weait, Ronald Phillips, and John Clouser. John also serves as the Principal Bassoonist for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Dakota Wind Quintet, and has performed extensively with many area ensembles, including the Omaha Symphony. He has appeared as a soloist with many area ensembles, including the SCSO. John has premiered bassoon concertos by Jeffrey Paul and Benjamin Tomkins, and arranges music for the Dakota Wind Quintet. In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio, John serves as an adjunct bassoon instructor and chamber music coach on the staffs of Augustana University and South Dakota State University.
