John Dale is well-known in musical circles in the Lansing area and has experience in virtually all areas associated with musical performance, as producer, performer, and coordinator for a wide variety of musical events.  He is conductor/pianist for the Lansing Symphony Big Band, leader of the John Dale Quintet, and co-leader of J & J Sounds.  John received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Michigan State University.  His professional affiliations include memberships in Phi Mu Alpha and the honorary Pi Kappa Lambda music fraternities. John recently retired from a 28 year career at Lansing Community College where he served in a number of capacities, including Program Director of Music, Director of Performing Arts, and most recently as Director of Communication and College Events. While at LCC John had positions at two Lansing churches, as Coordinator of Music at First Presbyterian Church, and for 10 years as the Director of Music at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church where his duties included directing the choir and playing piano for services.   

In addition to these duties John Dale has been very active in many community organizations, including the American Heart Association, Rotary Club of Lansing, the University Club of Michigan State University, and the Arts Council Center of Lansing, having served on the boards of directors of the latter two organizations. John Dale is married to Janine Novenske Smith, who is the Director of Choirs at University Lutheran Church in East Lansing and an adjunct instructor at LCC.  John Dale and Janine have two children, Jennifer and Jonathan, both of whom are active in the performing arts. Concerning Plymouth, John Dale writes: "The reputation of a great church music program has always been associated with Plymouth.  It would be my desire to continue that tradition and, in addition, provide stability and continuity to the talents which exist there."   

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