BIOGRAPHY
John Van Iperen was born and raised in Beamsville, Ontario, on a dairy farm. At a young age, John took a keen interest in playing the organ. He began taking lessons at the West Lincoln Conservatory in Grimsby at age nine. After completing their program, John studied for one year with Donald Bradbury of Beamsville. As John aspired to become a church organist, he auditioned for André Knevel, of St. Catharines, who became his teacher for the next nine years. Knevel trained John in the Dutch church organist style, teaching him all he could about playing the organ, accompanying, and improvising. At age fifteen, John began accompanying the congregational singing, a task that he still enjoys today. At eighteen, John held his first organ concert in the Beamsville Canadian Reformed Church.
After high school, John studied at Carlton University for one year where he took organ lessons from Mervyn Games. He then continued his studies at Brock University’s music program where he took lessons from Leslie Kingham. Not only was Brock University a little closer to home, but a special young lady was also enrolled in the music program there. This Francine Homan won John’s heart and made studying much more enjoyable. Both John and Francine also joined the church choir Niagara Regional Choral Society “Voice of Praise” of which John became the accompanist for several years and thereby learned to play the piano.
Upon completion of his Bachelor of Arts in Music, John attended Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College in Hamilton where he earned his Diploma of Education. For three years thereafter, he shared his love of music with the Grade 4 students at John Calvin School in Smithville. During this time, John married Francine, and they now have fivesons and a daughter to keep their home lively.
John spent 13 years in the world of sales and then moved back into education. He enjoys using his talents to inspire many to use their musical talents to the best of their abilities. Although work does not provide John with more “free” time, it does provide him with more flexibility and many new learning experiences. John has been director of the "Voice of Praise" Choir and now directs "Chorus of Praise" christian male choir.
During all these years, John regularly performed on the organ for worship services, concerts, and various other functions. His audiences were enamoured with his improvisations which were warm and heartfelt. He frequently had people ask him when he was going to produce his own recording. And so, at last, John contacted Harpert VanderWel and they set a date to begin producing John’s first CD of his own improvisations.
John’s goal in all his music is the honour and glory of God’s Name. Improvisations on the psalms and hymns are a wonderful way to praise the Lord and proclaim His power. Soli Deo gloria!