John, a banjo player, comes from a musical family in Carrigallen, County Leitrim. His brother plays with the well-known group Dervish. John himself is an All-Ireland champion on tenor banjo and mandolin. He arrived in New York well-traveled, having spent time in Australia and Canada. An experienced teacher, he has been on the staff of music teaching weeks in West Virginia and Texas. In New York, he plays frequently with Katie Linnane, Joanie Madden and other top local musicians.