John Dearman began as a self-taught guitarist, learning pieces from Chet Atkins and Segovia records, until he met and became a protégé of the Romero family. He continued his studies at the USC Thornton School of Music, where, along with William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant, he became a founding member of LAGQ and played in the historic 1981 Segovia Master Classes. In 1987, he and luthier Thomas Humphrey developed a new design for a 7-string guitar with expanded upper and lower registers, creating an instrument that has become something of a standard in modern quartet formations. A frequent teacher and judge at guitar festivals and competitions (including the Koblenz and Guitar Foundation of America Festivals), John is currently director of the Guitar Chamber Music Program at California State University, Northridge. He is a devotee of the food truck scene in LA, collects vintage motorcycles and still thinks he can one day become a 10-handicap in golf.