Mac Vanduzer

Principal Bass (on leave)

John 'Mac' VanDuzer started playing bass at 13, and joined the Oakville Symphony as a recipient of their Young Artists award in 2012. He attended the University of Toronto where he obtained an undergraduate degree in double bass performance, followed by a Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music. Mac joined the Guelph Symphony Orchestra in 2022 as the Principal Bassist. He is also a regular member with the Oakville Symphony, Ontario Philharmonic, and the Niagara Symphony, and a frequent guest with the Toronto Artist Symphony and Tapestry Opera.
In 2025 he became a sessional teacher at the University of Guelph, and is passionate about private music teaching.

A memorable experience
As a part of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, during our 2019 tour of Spain, one of our final shows was playing in the middle of historic Alhambra. The history there was incredible to be a part of, and the community around music there was something I had never seen before. Our performance was only advertised by a sign placed outside the venue 2 hours before the show, and yet the audience was entirely full of enthusiastic music fans of all ages. The whole thing was an experience I will never forget.

Performance preparation
Mental preparation can be a challenging routine for musicians to establish, particularly younger players. Through years of trying different strategies, whether intentionally or not, I have discovered that it is all about the people I can surround myself with prior to the show. Nothing sets my mind right for a performance like being around the most supportive people I have in the hours or days leading to the concert, whether it is my unendingly supportive parents, or my amazing partner. People have many strategies and routines around setting themselves up for success, but for me, it's just being around the people I love.

What is the most rewarding part of being in an orchestra?
Being in an orchestra exposes you to a wealth of experiences that you simply do not get as a solo act, or even in other career paths. The fellowship amongst musicians, who are there for their love of music and sharing that love with the other players in the orchestra, can immediately be felt once the baton drops and the music begins. When that is combined with a passionate (yet fair) musical director, like we are so fortunate to have in Adam Johnson, the group can often achieve new heights. I am so thankful to be a part of this group!

Mac is on a one year leave in 2026-27, having won the role of Principal Bass in the Thunder Bay Symphony!