John Neal holds a bachelors degree in music education from The Ohio State University and a Masters Degree in conducting performance from the University of Connecticut.  A piano student from the age of eight, his teachers include Hildred Curtis Fowler, Natasha Chances, Rosemary Platt, Neal Larrabee and Chiharu Naruse. 

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His career in music education began in 1978 and includes teaching positions at Van Buren District Secondary School, Edward Little High School in Auburn, the University of Southern Maine, Bates College and Oak Hill High School in Sabattus; the first Music Director at the Maine Arts Academy, Neal retired from teaching in 2022.  His students have won numerous awards including First Place in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC with the ELHS Band in 1988, and a Carnegie Hall performance in New York City with the Oak Hill HS Voices of Color in 2003 among many others; several of his students have gone on to careers in music education and performance. Nealn was recognized by the Maine Music Educators Association in 1994 as the Maine Music Educator of the Year, and by WCSH6 and the Maine Education Association as an “Inspiring Educator” in 2016; he directed the Maine Bicentennial Marching Band in 2021-21.

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Neal has performed as pianist and music director with the Theater at Monmouth, Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theater, Monmouth Community Players and at numerous other local venues and high school productions since the 1980s. His first CD of original electronic music "Fox Island Afternoon" was released in 1997; his original electronic ballet "Vasalisa", based upon the Russian legend of the same name, was released in 2008. Both CDs are available on iTunes and at www.cdbaby.com .