John Hughes is a nationally recognized instrumentalist, singer, dancer, instrument builder, and sculptor. He has studied the music song and dance of West Africa for twelve years, training with master drummers and dancers from Guinea and Mali, including Famoudou Konate, Sekou Sylla, and Youssouf Koumbassa.
He has been teaching drumming classes and workshops across the United States for the past ten years, maintaining weekly classes at The Putney School, Landmark College, and in his studio in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he also builds sculpture and traditional instruments.

Having studied with Master Kora players Mamadou Diabate and Keba Cissoko from Mali and Guinea Bissau respectively, John's work on the Kora is firmly rooted in the instrument's ancient tradition. He is, none the less, primarily self taught on the Kora and has developed his own unique style.