John Hallberg

Dr. John Hallberg

John Hallberg (b. 1988) is a saxophonist and educator based in Southern California. He has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia, appearing in concert halls and on university campuses internationally.

He is currently on the faculty at California State University–Fullerton, The Colburn School, and Irvine Valley College. From 2013 to 2016, he taught applied saxophone at the University of Southern California, and from 2017 to 2024 he directed the saxophone master class and ensemble at the Orange County School of the Arts. His students have gone on to competitive undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs, and have been recognized in organizations and competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Fischoff Competition, the Houston Underground Solo Competition, the International Saxophone Academy Competition, and various All-State and regional honor ensembles.

John regularly participates in saxophone festivals and conferences, including NASA and the World Saxophone Congress, and is often invited to teach and perform at schools and events in the U.S. and abroad. He also leads clinics and lectures for local schools and community programs throughout Southern California.

He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from the University of Southern California, with minors in Music Theory and Analysis, Music Technology, and Jazz Studies. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University–Long Beach.

Outside of music, John enjoys cooking, roasting and brewing coffee, playing chess, and spending time with his wife and two children.

John is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Artist and performs exclusively on Yamaha saxophones and Vandoren equipment.