John Belian – Musician and Educator

John Belian is a musician and educator. He is known for his holistic approach to teaching piano, which helps students uncover free embodied movement and ensures a lifetime of enjoyment at the instrument.

He is also a deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is currently serving as director of the diaconate.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Detroit, Belian was exposed to great musicians through his childhood. The city was a music hub, with Motown artists performing at the Fox Theater downtown. Belian would attend full reviews each year, seeing acts like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Temptations. He also attended concerts by rock stars such as Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. He began working as a road manager for Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, which allowed him to travel and learn the tour business. He continued to work in the musical industry throughout his career. He eventually retired to the Florida Keys, where he continues to promote concerts and help with dance competitions. He and his wife enjoy traveling, feeding deer and reading.

Belian has a bachelor’s degree in music.

Achievements and Honors

A well rounded gentleman, he has garnered the praise of family, friends and colleagues alike. He has been on the faculty at CCSM since 2018. A music lover by nature, he enjoys playing the piano as much as he loves teaching it and is often found in the classroom, preferably at a keyboard. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Irvine and is the proud father of two daughters, Anna and Jocelyn. His favorite pastime is golf, and he also finds time to volunteer at his church and other charitable causes.

Personal Life

During his life, he traveled a lot and spent time with many musical greats. He was able to help promote events that included bands such as Pink Floyd, KISS and Styx. He also helped design outdoor staging for groups like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

He also wrote to churches to inspire their members’ zeal so that they would follow Christ more closely and stand firm against false teachers. He hoped that his letters would motivate them to know that they have eternal life and that the church was their home. He also tried to encourage the believers that they are part of an inextricably linked family, so they could share their love and respect with others. He passed away on July 7, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Donna Marie, and a number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.