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Meet John Billington

John Billington is a composer, soloist, producer, and instructor — the founder of Bach to Bebop Music School in the Cary/Raleigh area. He teaches flute, saxophone, clarinet, and electronic wind instrument to students from age 9 through adult, with the majority of students in middle and high school.

John is a member of ASCAP with over 30 original compositions, and a member of RAFA (Raleigh Area Flute Association). He has studied performance flute with the former second flute of the Chicago Symphony and Dr. Robert Billington (DMA, University of Miami), and has attended master classes with Dr. Stephen Preston at Wildacres.

He has served as Jazz Band conductor for Green Hope High School under Dr. Beamish, as an All County saxophone judge for Wake County middle school students, and as a 2009 RAFA Solofest judge. He has also worked with the saxophone Wind Ensemble at Athens Drive High School and given presentations to local corporations on "Music & The Relaxation Response." He has independently produced two CDs: Tolisha and Project Bluebook.

ASCAP Member 30+ Original Compositions RAFA Member 25+ Years Teaching

Full Lesson Details → Cary News Profile →

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What I Teach

Private lessons for students age 9 through adult — beginner to advanced, classical to jazz.

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Flute

Classical and jazz flute performance. From baroque fundamentals to jazz improvisation.

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Saxophone

Alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone sax. Classical to bebop and beyond.

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Clarinet

Concert band and orchestral clarinet. Solid foundation through advanced technique.

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EWI

Electronic Wind Instrument — transition from traditional woodwinds to wind controllers and synthesizers.

Locations

► Home studio — off N. Harrison Ave, near Cary Academy, Cary
► Will negotiate driving to Holly Springs & Fuquay Varina
► FaceTime lessons available for students with long driving distances

Availability

► Currently accepting students age 9 through adult
► Majority of students are middle and high school age
► Teaching days: Sun late afternoon and evening, Mon–Wed all day and evenings — generally the three weeks of the month

Fees

► No long-term contract — month to month
► $75/month — 3 × 30-minute lessons
► $80/month — 2 × 45-minute lessons
► $135/month — 3 × 45-minute lessons
Contact for current rates — subject to change.

Read John's 8 Teaching Beliefs →

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Outstanding Student Success

John's students compete and win at the highest levels — All County, All District, and All State.

2025–26

Current high school sophomore earned All Region Jazz A Band (All State Jazz Eligible) and UNC-G Honor Band on both alto and tenor, plus a full scholarship to UNT Jazz Camp under Alan Baylock.

2009–10

High school freshman won 1st chair All State tenor sax. A 7th-grader won 3rd chair All State bass clarinet and All District Symphonic Band. Two middle school flute students made Concert Band All District.

2008–09

High school sophomore won 1st chair All State alto sax with the highest score of any instrument. An 8th-grader won 1st chair All State tenor sax, also with the highest score of any instrument.

2007–08

High school freshman won All State alto sax (symphonic) and All State jazz band. Two 7th-graders took the top two tenor sax positions at All District. RAFA flute division winner.

2004–05

Three of the top ten flute positions at All District Symphonic Band were his students.

2003–04 & 2006–07

Two of the top four alto saxophone positions at All District Middle School Symphonic Band were Mr. Billington's students.

University acceptances — John's high school students have been accepted into music programs at Berklee College of Music, NC School of the Arts, UNC Greensboro, UNCW, ECU, Belmont University, and Appalachian State.

Current Student Spotlight

One of John's current students earned a full scholarship to the UNT Jazz Camp under Alan Baylock, placed in All Region Jazz A Band (All State Jazz Eligible) on tenor, and made the UNC-G Honor Band on both alto and tenor saxophone — a remarkable double placement.

See Full Achievement List →

View Full Honor Band Recognition List →

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What Students & Parents Say

Hear John Perform

Sample recordings spanning classical, smooth jazz, and original compositions — all performed by John Billington.

Sonata in C Major — Allegro

Bach Classical

Concerto in D — excerpt

Mozart Classical

Adagio arrangement

Albinoni Classical

Jamaica Hammock Love

Billington Smooth Jazz

Nakahara-san

Billington Smooth Jazz

Cruising The Crystals

Billington New Age

View All 18 Recordings →

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Billington & Royce

Affordable, high-quality saxophone and flute with guitar — for weddings, private parties, upscale restaurants, and special events throughout the Triangle area.

John Billington

Saxophone, flute, and wind controller. Composer, soloist, and producer with over 30 original compositions.

Christopher Royce

Guitarist, vocalist, and educator. Music degree from Lone Mountain College. Former guitar teacher at Cardinal Gibbons High School with 145 students in the program.

Together, John and Chris perform blues, jazz, Brazilian, and pop standards as well as light baroque classical music. The music is selected and performed to blend with the ambience of your occasion — background music that enhances, not overwhelms.

All PA equipment can be provided. Pricing varies based on equipment needs and travel. Additional instrumentation available for larger events.

Inquire About Event Music

Perfect For

♪ Weddings & ceremonies
♪ Private parties
♪ Corporate functions
♪ Upscale restaurants
♪ Holiday events
♪ Community events
♪ Dinner parties
♪ Special occasions

Sample repertoire includes:

Jazz standards · Brazilian bossa nova · Blues · Pop classics · Baroque classical · Smooth jazz originals · Holiday favorites

View Full Song List →

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Ready to Start Lessons?

Get in touch to discuss your goals and find a schedule that works for you.

Contact John

Phone

984-218-6762

Email

billingtonjohn895@gmail.com

Location

Cary, NC — Triangle area
fully equipped home studio

Send an Email to Inquire

Serving the Triangle Area

▶ Apex

▶ Cary

▶ Chapel Hill

▶ Durham

▶ Fuquay Varina

▶ Garner

▶ Holly Springs

▶ Morrisville

▶ Raleigh

"I believe in setting musical goals with the student and/or parents and then working with the student to achieve their personal goals. I also believe that music should be fun."

— John Billington

Teaching Philosophy · Fees & Policies · Teaching Repertoire