Timpani

JOHN WEEKS

Principal

Sponsored by Mary James in memory of George Cook

John Weeks has served as principal timpanist with the Santa Cruz Symphony for more than two decades. He is also principal timpanist with the Modesto Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, and the Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra. He has appeared with numerous regional ensembles, including the Santa Rosa Symphony—where he served as acting principal timpanist for three seasons—as well as the San Jose Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Sacramento Symphony and Opera, and West Edge Opera. He has also performed with San Francisco Ballet, American Conservatory Theater (ACT), and California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes), and served as principal timpanist for more than two decades with the Santa Cruz Ballet’s Nutcracker.

John studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and performed in international festivals including the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, touring throughout Spain, Italy, northern Germany, and France. He also spent three summers at the Pacific Music Festival in Hokkaido, Japan, where he worked with Bruno Hartl, timpanist with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Based in the East Bay, John is an avid cyclist in his spare time. He lives with his wife, a violinist, and their Welsh Terrier, and is proud step-dad to two daughters.