John Balme has joined Temple Shalom of Aberdeen as the Choir Director and accompanist.   He has been a conductor, opera manager and pianist.

He served as general director of Boston Lyric Opera from 1979 to 1989 and the Lake George Opera Festival from 1988 to 1992. He has participated as conductor, assistant conductor, and/or producer in over 300 productions and has appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States.  As a pianist, Balme has accompanied many singers, including at recital performances.  He has conducted at opera companies throughout the US and the world.

He attended Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University. Balme has served on the faculties of the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Connecticut, New England Conservatory of Music and Northeastern University.

Balme is now the main piano teacher at Brookdale and teaches in the Humanities department. He is the music director for Christ Episcopal Church in Middletown, New Jersey where his duties involve playing the organ, the piano and directing the choir. He and his wife also run the Brookdale Concordia Chorale, a chamber choir.   He maintains a teaching studio for piano, violin, viola, and other instruments in Belford, New Jersey.