John Chitambo

John Chitambo is a Zambian-born international music educator, scholar, and multi-instrumentalist specializing in piano, violin, and saxophone. This evening, John takes centre stage as a saxophonist, a role in which his expressive artistry is particularly compelling. Renowned for his ability to draw remarkable emotional depth and lyrical beauty from the instrument, he combines technical mastery with powerful musical storytelling. John currently serves as Head of Preparatory Music at Marlborough College Malaysia, where he leads the development of young musicians through innovative and holistic education.

Throughout his distinguished career, John has shared the stage with acclaimed international artists, including award-winning American composer and violin virtuoso Kim Angelis, celebrated Serbian pianist Olga Merker, and Serbian virtuoso violinist Dina Milivojević. His commitment to artistic excellence has also led him to participate in high-profile masterclasses with world-renowned musicians such as celebrated Italian saxophonist Rosario Giuliani and Grammy-nominated American jazz educator Dr. Gene Aitken.

John holds a Master of Music (MMus) in Music Education from European University Cyprus, a Bachelor of Music (BMus) from the University of Pretoria (South Africa), a Diploma in Music from Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka (Zambia), and professional violin performance qualifications from Trinity College London (UK).

Beyond performance and teaching, John is a dedicated contributor to regional music policy and academic research. He previously served as Vice President for Eastern Africa of the Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE) and is the author of the book History and State of Music Education in Seychelles, a landmark study in African and Indian Ocean music pedagogy.

As an educator, researcher, administrator, and performer, John Chitambo’s career exemplifies leadership, scholarly rigor, and an enduring commitment to artistic excellence on the global stage.