Gareth John was invited to become the first resident conductor of the Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra in 2000 after several guest appearances and as concerto soloist.  He regularly conducts several youth orchestras (Glasgow University's Kelvin Ensemble and the North Wales Youth Orchestra) and has worked with the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland, the Training Schools of the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland and the Repertoire Course of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.  He is Music Director of the Welsh opera company, OPRACymru and was, for 12 years, Director of the Deveron Festival in Banff.

Gareth John received his first cello lessons from his father, Geraint, the cellist at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and later with George Isaacs. He graduated with a Distinction in Performance at the Guildhall School of Music, London, studying with William Pleeth during which time he was awarded the Birdie Warshaw Prize and David Ffrançon Thomas Prize for Young Welsh Musicians. He now regularly appears as principal cellist with the leading North East Scotland orchestras as well as concerto soloist with the Aberdeen Sinfonietta and the Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he regularly performs in recital and has broadcast on BBC radio and S4C.