John Johns (BM ’70, Guitar), one of the first students of Aaron Shearer to graduate from the Peabody guitar program, retired from the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to an active teaching and performing schedule, Johns took part in the development of the Blair School of Music as a collegiate program of Vanderbilt University, and was appointed Chair of the Guitar Department in 1986. He retired in spring 2017 as Professor of Guitar, Emeritus after a long career at the school starting in 1972 when he was appointed to the faculty.