John Niiler is a passionate music educator, conductor, and cellist with a commitment to inspiring students and enriching the orchestral community. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Orchestras at Travis High School in Fort Bend ISD, where his leadership has helped the program grow to the second largest in the district. In recognition of his impact, he was named both the Travis High School Rookie Teacher of the Year and the Fort Bend ISD Rookie Teacher of the Year for the 2023–2024 school year.

John is currently pursuing a master’s degree in conducting and music education through a hybrid program with Colorado State University. He is also active in the Texas music education scene, frequently serving as a UIL judge in the greater Houston area and assisting other FBISD orchestra programs.

John holds a B.S. in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Alabama, where he earned the Excellence in Music Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. During his undergraduate studies, he served as an instructor at the UA Community Music School and was an apprentice at the National Music Festival in 2022 and 2023.

A devoted cellist, John has performed with ensembles including the Brazos Valley, Destin, Tuscaloosa, and Starkville Symphonies. He studied under Dr. Anne Witt and Dr. Moises Molina, and participated in masterclasses with acclaimed cellists Dr. Brinton Averil Smith, Dr. Greg Sauer, and Dr. Felix Wong.

When he’s not teaching, performing, or listening to music, you’ll likely find John fanatically watching college football, exercising, or eating a medium rare steak. He strives to visit a different coffee shop every day during the work week and enjoys everything that is pumpkin spice.