A native of Iowa, bass trombonist John Engelkes joined the San Francisco Symphony in 1981. Prior to his arrival in San Francisco, Mr. Engelkes was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has also performed with the Minnesota Orchestra.

He began his studies with John Hansen in high school and continued working with Mr. Hansen at the University of Northern Iowa where he received his Bachelor's of Music. When he was twenty-two and still an undergraduate, he won a position with the Florida Symphony in Orlando and stayed there for a year, after which he decided to pursue a master's degree at Northwestern University. At Northwestern, he studied with Frank Crisafulli and Edward Kleinhammer, then Second Trombonist and Bass Trombonist respectively, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. While in Chicago, Mr. Engelkes performed in the Northwestern Wind Ensemble, the Northwestern Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Chicago Pops.

Mr. Engelkes currently serves on the faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and teaches privately. He performs in numerous chamber music ensembles and numerous recording projects. An avid golfer, he resides in San Anselmo with his wife Myra.