Affectionately known as “Stolfe” by his students, John Stolfe is a teaching artist, performer, certified sound practitioner, rhythm facilitator, and the founder of Stolfe Percussion Studio, established in 2005. He studied percussion performance and music education at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University while earning a B.S.B.A. in Management from Roosevelt University’s Heller College of Business. He continued additional music education studies at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.
John’s percussion training includes mentorship with renowned instructors such as Edward Poremba (Chicago Lyric Opera), Bruce Carver (L.A. studio percussionist), Dom Famularo (international drum set educator), jazz studies with Shelley Yoelin, and conducting with Dr. James Ripley.
For nearly three decades, John served as a director, clinician, adjudicator, and percussion coach, working with ensembles that have performed at major venues across the United States, including Disney World, the United Nations, the USS Intrepid in New York City, Bands of America Championships, Minnesota Percussion Association, Indiana Percussion Association, Winter Guard International, and state championships in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Since 1987, he worked extensively in school settings as a jazz band director, pit orchestra director, drumline coach, percussion ensemble director, and consultant. His educational influence extends throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, and he has contributed to respected percussion publications including A Fresh Approach to the Drum Set by Mark Wessels and Modern School for Mallet Instruments by Jim Sewrey, Ben Hans, and Tom Schellner. John has taught hundreds of students through private lessons, masterclasses, workshops, and ensemble instruction, and has coordinated clinics with leading artists and educators in the percussion field.
As a performing musician, John appeared in orchestral, concert band, jazz, pop, and studio settings. For more than 30 years, he performed in pit orchestras for music theater productions throughout the Milwaukee–& Chicago region. He has performed with the R&B/Blues/Rock group Timeless in the Wind and the acoustic project Mueller & Hill. In 2013, he performed with the World Stage Theatre group for their off‑Broadway premiere at the historic Cherry Lane Theater in New York City.
Beyond music, John is a long‑time student of leadership and personal development. He integrates these principles into music‑based experiential learning, facilitating leadership, team‑building, and organizational development workshops for more than 20 years. As a HealthRHYTHMS trained facilitator and a Rhythm2Recovery practitioner, he has led programs in corporate, nonprofit, and academic environments. His training includes studies with leading facilitators such as Dr. Craig Woodson, Arthur Hull, Christine Stevens, Jim Donovan, Dave Holland, Summer Lall, Arlene De Silva and Kenya Masala.
John is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the Vic Firth Education Team.
In addition to his work in music and education, John is a wellness entrepreneur and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC). In 2003, he founded Stolfe Group Consulting LLC, which develops projects aimed at improving the lives of people through the use of music, sound and nutrition.
John’s percussion training includes mentorship with renowned instructors such as Edward Poremba (Chicago Lyric Opera), Bruce Carver (L.A. studio percussionist), Dom Famularo (international drum set educator), jazz studies with Shelley Yoelin, and conducting with Dr. James Ripley.
For nearly three decades, John served as a director, clinician, adjudicator, and percussion coach, working with ensembles that have performed at major venues across the United States, including Disney World, the United Nations, the USS Intrepid in New York City, Bands of America Championships, Minnesota Percussion Association, Indiana Percussion Association, Winter Guard International, and state championships in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Since 1987, he worked extensively in school settings as a jazz band director, pit orchestra director, drumline coach, percussion ensemble director, and consultant. His educational influence extends throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, and he has contributed to respected percussion publications including A Fresh Approach to the Drum Set by Mark Wessels and Modern School for Mallet Instruments by Jim Sewrey, Ben Hans, and Tom Schellner. John has taught hundreds of students through private lessons, masterclasses, workshops, and ensemble instruction, and has coordinated clinics with leading artists and educators in the percussion field.
As a performing musician, John appeared in orchestral, concert band, jazz, pop, and studio settings. For more than 30 years, he performed in pit orchestras for music theater productions throughout the Milwaukee–& Chicago region. He has performed with the R&B/Blues/Rock group Timeless in the Wind and the acoustic project Mueller & Hill. In 2013, he performed with the World Stage Theatre group for their off‑Broadway premiere at the historic Cherry Lane Theater in New York City.
Beyond music, John is a long‑time student of leadership and personal development. He integrates these principles into music‑based experiential learning, facilitating leadership, team‑building, and organizational development workshops for more than 20 years. As a HealthRHYTHMS trained facilitator and a Rhythm2Recovery practitioner, he has led programs in corporate, nonprofit, and academic environments. His training includes studies with leading facilitators such as Dr. Craig Woodson, Arthur Hull, Christine Stevens, Jim Donovan, Dave Holland, Summer Lall, Arlene De Silva and Kenya Masala.
John is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the Vic Firth Education Team.
In addition to his work in music and education, John is a wellness entrepreneur and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC). In 2003, he founded Stolfe Group Consulting LLC, which develops projects aimed at improving the lives of people through the use of music, sound and nutrition.
