John Lagerquist started playing the flute at the age of ten.  His parents, both pianists, had tried unsuccessfully to bring him into the world of the keyboard, so when John brought home recruitment documents from the local traveling music teacher, they agreed to try him “one more time” on flute.  He took to it instantly.  From this point through high school, participation in community and California State Honor bands and orchestras were part of each year, as were lessons with L.A. Philharmonic flutists Roger Stevens and Rowland Moritz, as well as Hollywood freelancers Archie Wade and Luella Howard.  In 1968 John went directly from high school to The U.S. Army Band at Ft. Myer, VA for three years, and then on to The Hartt College of Music, where he studied with John Wummer, former principal of the New York Philharmonic.  He dropped out after two years, in response to Wummer’s advice that if he wanted to play for a living he’d be better off leaving school and getting out into the world.  After a series of odd jobs, he won the piccolo chair in The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra in 1984.  He has been there ever since.  In 1994 he acted on an impulse to try singing and began studies with Henriette Lund, the teacher of a neighbor. Their association continues to this day.  Besides his work with The Kennedy Center, Mr. Lagerquist is also active as a teacher and flute repair technician.