John Lack is currently Director of Instrumental Music at the Buchanan Educational Center in Clovis, California where he oversees a team of five directors and 425 students involved in band, colorguard, jazz, orchestra, and percussion at Buchanan High School and Alta Sierra Intermediate. His responsibilities include directing the Buchanan High School Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra as well as the Alta Sierra Intermediate Advanced Orchestra.

The Buchanan programs are known for excellence and consistently achieve superior ratings at festival. The Buchanan Marching Band has been Bands of America Regional finalist multiple times, the chamber orchestra is an invited ensemble at the 2023 Music For All National Festival, and the Wind Symphony was an invited ensemble at the 2024 CMEA State Band & Orchestra festival.

Prior to his current position, John was the Director of Instrumental Music at Clovis West High School from 2007 to 2017. Under his direction, the Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in 2010 and the Clovis West Marching Band was a 16-time Bands of America Regional Finalist, 11-time Class AAA Champion, 2-Time Regional Champion, and a 2016 Grand National Semifinalist. 

In early 2014, John was selected as a Clovis Unified School District Crystal Award Winner recognizing exceptional district employees. He was one of only 36 winners selected from close to 5,000 employees. Clovis West High School recognized John as Visual and Performing Arts Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year and John became a member of the Conn-Selmer VIP Program in January 2016.

John graduated from Whitworth University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and completed his Master’s Degree in Conducting from American Band College of Southern Oregon University in 2005. He currently resides in the Fresno area with his wife Nicole, an elementary school vice-principal, his children Joanna, Christopher, and Salvador, and their dogs Buddy and Chiquita.