Daily Inspiration: Meet John Mizenko

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Mizenko.

Hi John, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Story of John Mizenko and Join The Band®

Originally a guitarist from Cleveland, Ohio — and a proud Berklee College of Music graduate — I moved to Los Angeles in 1985 with the same dream shared by countless musicians: to make music in the city where it all happens.

Before LA, I worked steadily as a musician in Cleveland, but I wanted to test myself in a bigger scene. Once I arrived, I took on whatever jobs I could to stay close to music — from phone sales to working as a courier delivering documents and tapes to major recording studios. One day, while dropping off a delivery at Capitol Records, I ran into a former agent from a Cleveland band I’d played in. That chance encounter led to forming a new band, and for the next few years, we played the LA club circuit nonstop.

We eventually received an offer from Chrysalis Records, which our manager turned down without telling us. It caused serious friction, and the band ultimately split up. Ironically, the deal turned out to be a bad one anyway — a hard-learned lesson that everything happens for a reason.

During that time, I landed a job at JB Player Guitars, a guitar-importing company filled with talented musicians. I was also featured at this time in Guitar Player Magazine’s Mike Varney “Spotlight” column (June 1986). This was before email, so I exchanged handwritten letters with players around the world who had read the feature — an exciting moment that validated years of work.

When JB Player eventually went out of business, I returned to performing in LA nightclubs and teaching guitar during the day. I realized that, just as in Cleveland, teaching was something I deeply enjoyed. That passion grew while working at Baxter Northup Music, where I taught for over a decade and collaborated with another teacher to organize blues and jazz ensembles. When students began asking for rock bands, I rented my own rehearsal space — and that simple step became the seed for what would become Join The Band®.

At first, I balanced teaching at Baxter with running my new band program, but soon I had to choose. Leaving Baxter after so many years was bittersweet, but I knew it was time to build something of my own. To find students, I cold-called every teacher listed in Music Connection Magazine’s teachers guide, explaining my concept and offering referral fees. Most said no, but a few said yes — and that was enough to get the program rolling.

Our early concerts took place in rehearsal studios until a friend suggested I book a nightclub for a daytime showcase. The first Join The Band® show at Smokin’ Johnnies in Studio City was a huge success — the room was packed, the energy was electric, and enrollment immediately grew.

From there, I took over the studio space, built teaching rooms, and did everything myself — teaching, bookkeeping, marketing, janitorial, and more. As the program grew, my wife Lynn and I decided she should leave her secure job to help with administration and support our young family. Everyone thought she/we were crazy, but it was one of the best decisions we ever made.

We soon hired our first teacher (who’s still with us today) and an office assistant. Join The Band® expanded to more than 15 instructors and became one of LA’s most unique and popular music programs. At the time (1998 through the early 2000s), no one else was coaching kids, teens, and adults in real bands and producing live shows at legendary venues like The Roxy, The Mint, The Whisky, Federal Bar, and The Knitting Factory.

In 2013, we took the next big step and purchased our own building, complete with three professional, fully backlined studios and seven lesson rooms for guitar, piano, drums, voice, bass, ukulele, banjo, and mandolin.

Since 1998, Join The Band® has produced over 140 concerts featuring thousands of musicians of all ages. Our program has been featured in multiple publications and documentaries, including Dave Grohl’s “Play”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e05H80-k0mY and a Line 6 documentary on music education here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy0AiGWUBfU

From a Cleveland guitarist chasing opportunity in Los Angeles to leading a thriving community of musicians, it’s been a long, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding journey. Join The Band® isn’t just about learning to play — it’s about Play Music – Make Friends – Have A Blast!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1985, I was chasing the dream — like so many musicians — but the reality was brutal. I was working odd sales jobs, doing courier runs to recording studios, and trying to find a way into the music scene. The city can be humbling when you’re broke, tired, and trying to make connections in a town full of talent.

The early bands I joined were a mix of excitement and disappointment. We had real momentum at one point — regular gigs, good crowds, and even label interest. But when our manager turned down a Chrysalis Records deal without telling us, it caused significant friction, and the band fell apart. It was a hard lesson in trust and communication. Still, that experience ended up teaching me more about the business than any success could have.

Later, when I started teaching and built Join The Band®, I faced many new struggles: managing people, keeping teachers and parents happy, balancing creative work with business demands, and trying to grow a program while maintaining quality. There were financial scares, scheduling nightmares, broken amps, late-night load-outs, and more than a few “what am I doing?” moments.

But through it all, I learned what really matters — community, perseverance, and purpose. Join The Band® wasn’t built overnight; it came from years of playing, failing, adjusting, and learning how to make music mean something to people.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I Do

I’m the founder and director of Join The Band®, a music school and performance program based in Sherman Oaks, California. Since 1998, our mission has been simple but powerful: Play Music – Make Friends – Have A Blast!

We help kids, teens, and adults experience the joy of playing in real bands. Every season, our students rehearse weekly with professional musicians and perform live onstage at legendary Los Angeles venues like The Mint and The Roxy Theatre. Alongside our band classes, we offer private lessons, summer music camps, and jam sessions that build confidence, teamwork, and stage presence.

What We Specialize In

We specialize in band performance education — a unique model that combines private instruction with group rehearsals and live shows. Students don’t just learn songs; they learn how to listen, collaborate, and perform as musicians in a real-world setting.

Our teachers are all professional, working musicians, many of them Berklee College of Music graduates. We emphasize community, encouragement, and musicianship at every level — from the 7-year-old picking up a guitar for the first time to the adult rediscovering their passion for music.

What We’re Known For

Join The Band® is known for creating a positive, inclusive environment where everyone belongs — no auditions, no egos, just music.

We’ve helped thousands of musicians over 27 years, including alumni who’ve gone on to record, tour, and perform with major artists such as The Wallows, X Ambassadors, Simon Phillips Protocol, Deweezil Zappa Band, John Fogerty, and more.

Our concerts have become community events — professional productions with lights, sound, and excitement that inspire students and audiences alike.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. Watching students grow from shy beginners into confident performers — and seeing friendships form that last for years — is incredibly rewarding.

I’m also proud that Join The Band® has maintained its heart and authenticity through decades of change in the music industry. We’re not just teaching scales and chords; we’re giving people a lifelong love of music and the experience of being in a real band.

What Sets Us Apart

What truly sets Join The Band® apart is our focus on the complete musical journey — lessons, rehearsals, and live performance — all under one roof.

We make music accessible, social, and fun while maintaining a high level of professionalism and musicianship.

We’re not a “rock camp.” We’re a community of musicians who believe that playing together makes everyone better — musically and personally.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Growing up in Aurora, Ohio, I spent much of my free time chasing music. Seeing live bands during my school years was a turning point. The energy, the sound, the connection — it made me want to start my own band.

My best friend and I spent countless hours in my basement learning songs, booking shows, and chasing the dream. Looking back, it felt a lot like the movie “Wayne’s World.” We actually lived in Aurora, Ohio, while the movie was set in Aurora, Illinois. We even drove a silver AMC Pacer just like theirs.

Those basement days were the start of everything — learning how to organize, collaborate, and perform. It was the first real taste of what would later become my life in music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.JoinTheBand.com
• Instagram: JoinTheBandStudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jointhebandmusiclessonsstudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheBand