Bio
John Mietus is a bassist, composer, and conductor based in Auckland, New Zealand. Since 2022, he has served as Associate Principal Bass with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also performed with other noteworthy ensembles such as the Houston Symphony, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, Bay of Plenty Symphonia, Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, and the Cleveland Philharmonic. In addition to orchestral work, he has had an extensive solo career, including notable performances with orchestras such as the Cleveland Philharmonic, XiangJiang Philharmonic Orchestra, International Music Festival Orchestra, Ohio Music Educator’s National Conference, and the Concerto Chamber Orchestra. He has also been a featured performer on “From The Top”. He plays a 2016 Sergio Scaramelli “Majestic” Model bass that won a silver medal at the Rome International Competition.
As a composer, Mietus fuses diverse influences to create solo, chamber, and orchestral works. His compositions have been recognized with awards such as the South Carolina Music Educators Association Composition Competition, the UNK New Music Festival Composition Competition, and the ACDA USC Choral Composition Showcase. Recent commissions include works for the Wabass Institute, Hal Robinson, former Principal Bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Harmonia Vocal Octet, and the Hathaway Brown School, among others. His work has appeared on programs in Japan, Cyprus, the UK, and across the United States. John is also notable as the composer for the animated series Inanimate Insanity, as well as for multiple independent films and videogames.
Mietus is also a sought-after educator and guest conductor, most recently appearing with the XingJiang Philharmonic Orchestra and the Devonport Chamber Orchestra. He is the current resident conductor for the New Classics Symphonia and serves as guest faculty at Northwestern University, the Australian National Academy of Music, and James Madison University.
He holds a Master of Music degree from Rice University, where he studied with Paul Ellison and Tim Pitts. He earned his Bachelors of Music from the University of Southern California, studying with David Allen Moore. While completing his formal training, he also studied conducting with Sharon Lavery and later deepened his appreciation for score study under maestro Larry Rachleff. Other notable teachers include Nicole Castleberry-Clouser of The Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Henry Peyrebrune of The Cleveland Orchestra, Tracy Rowell of Oberlin Conservatory, Nicholas Walker, Peter Lloyd, Dominick Fiore, Francois Rabbath, and the late Anthony Bianco.
"His interpretation intertwined the deep, resonant tones of the double bass with the vibrant colors of the orchestra, revealing the instrument's rare lyrical quality and flexibility, transforming this "giant" into a spirit narrating a romantic poem." (Hunan Daily)