John Spirtas, percussion

John Spirtas joined the Washington National Opera Orchestra in 2000 as Principal Percussionist. He performs annually in the nationally-televised Kennedy Center Honors. John has performed with the Post Classical Ensemble since 2005. He has performed as a substitute percussionist with the National Symphony and the Chautauqua Symphony. John currently serves on faculty at George Mason University as Co-Coordinator of Percussion Studies. 

Prior to joining the KCOHO, John was a percussionist in the New World Symphony, in Miami Beach, Florida. He performed with the NWS in the 2000 American Mavericks Festival in San Francisco under the batons of Michael Tilson Thomas and composer John Adams.

John is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the New England Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Alan Abel, Will Hudgins, Salvatore Rabbio, Michael Udow and Nora Davenport.