John Dahlstrand (ASCAP) started playing double bass at school at age 8. His rapid progress lead him to study with Chicago Symphony bassist Roger Cline from age 10 until 1995. As a young bassist he spent the summers of 1993 and 1994 at the Interlochen Arts Camp. From 1995 to 1999 he studied at the Indiana University School of Music with Lawrence Hurst. During his time there he also studied with Bruce Bransby and Murray Grodner.
While a student at IU, he won numerous competitions and honors, including the 1999 Concerto competition, with a noted performance of David Anderson's Concerto for Double Bass, and a unanimous IU Performer's Certificate in 1999. He was the winner of the ASTA biannual string competition of 1998 at both state and national levels.
He spent three summers (1997-1999) studying with Bruce Bransby as a fellowship student at the Aspen Music Festival.
From 2001 to 2010 he was a core musician with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, playing bass in the orchestra as well as in the Arts Partners' educational outreach program throughout the state of Arkansas.
While with the Arkansas Symphony he was commissioned to write and arrange works for the orchestra's educational series concerts as well as Holiday Pops and Pops on the River series.
He also kept an active private studio and performed regularly as a chamber musician with his bass and harp ensemble Duo Millenia. Along with harpist Elisabeth Chardonnet he founded the annual Little Rock Double Bass and Harp Masterclass, which they organized from 2005 through 2010.
In 2008, John was awarded the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award in classical music composition for his work Essay for Solo Cello.
John has been assistant principal bass (contrebasse 2nd soliste) with the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (onpl.fr) in Nantes, France, since 2010. He also works as professor of double bass at both the school of music of Carquefou and the Conservatory of Montaigu.
John enjoys listening to lots of music, playing his bass as much as possible, and composing. He is a well-loved and dedicated teacher.
Compositions & Transcriptions
Bass Lessons
