John A Graham is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Musicology from Princeton University, where he also directs two Georgian folk choirs. He holds a bachelor's degree in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, where he completed a senior project on Georgian sacred music in 2003.
The recipient of a Fulbright research grant in 2004, John deepened his studies of Georgian liturgical music, and entered a Ph.D. program in Musicology in 2006. As an active facilitator of cultural exchange, he has organized tours in the United States for the critically acclaimed Anchiskhati Church Choir (2005) and the Zedashe Folk Ensemble (2007), and in turn invites tourists to Georgia on self-designed Monastery Tours.
John lectures regularly on topics relating to the history and revival of Georgian sacred music, and is writing a Ph.D. dissertation titled, The Transcription and Transmission of Georgian Liturgical Chant, 1880-1910.
Workshop Experience:
John has performed in many professional and semi-professional choirs, and has several years of experience directing choirs. Recently, his interests have focused on the multi-voiced polyphonic singing traditions originating in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia, where he has conducted research since 2003.A dynamic teacher, John combines his choral directing experience with a strong love for Georgian music to create interactive and informative workshop learning environments. The joy of singing Georgian music is infectious in John's well-paced workshops, as a centuries old singing tradition comes to sound.