John Young Shik Concklin, conductor, is praised for his clear beat, strong sense of rhythm, inviting gravitas, and innovative mind. John currently serves as Conductor with the Atlanta Music Project and Piedmont Chamber Orchestra. For the 2021-2022 season, he is a Music Director Finalist for the Aiken Symphony Orchestra, Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, and the Spartanburg Philharmonic.
John was National Finalist for the 2019-2020 American Prize in Conducting. He has competed internationally at the Almaty Conducting Competition, the Nino Rota Conducting Competition, and as the only American in the Città di Brescia Conducting Competition. He has frequently been invited to conduct the Nashville and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras.
Previous positions include Associate Conductor of the Georgia Symphony, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and Music Director of the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. He has also served as conducting faculty at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, Furman University, Clemson University, and Converse College.
A frequent adjudicator, John has appeared at Oberlin Conservatory, Kent State University, the South Carolina Governor's School, and numerous All-State Festivals. In addition, he continues his project from the Yale School of Music, "Music and Art," through which students utilize music and art as catalysts for creative writing.
John studied at Vanderbilt University, Yale University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is grateful for his mentors, which include David Zinman, Carl Topilow, Shinik Hahm, and Robin Fountain. He received further training from Lorin Maazel and Michael Tilson-Thomas. He has been a fellowship conductor at the Aspen Music Festival, a teaching assistant at the Brevard Music Center, and a finalist at the New World Symphony and Debut Orchestras.
A versatile musician, John has also performed as concertmaster of the Superbowl Halftime Show, was engaged to conduct the national anthem at the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship (canceled due to COVID-19), and collaborated with Monica, the Grammy-winning artist. John holds a chair as a violist in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra; and together with his wife, Lauren Maxwell, co-founded Mozart for a Cause, an annual benefit concert that highlights chamber music.
