John Kaboff, B.M., M.M. is an American cellist, educator, clinician, director of ensembles.
Mr. Kaboff was selected by the World Cello Congress III to produce a cello choir concert for young children in collaboration with Yo Yo Ma.
Mr. Kaboff was selected by the 6th American Cello Congress to deliver a lecture on building a cello choir to encompass multi level players and parts and integrate their levels effectively.
He is a repeat presenter at the Tennessee Cello Workshop where his students, known as the "Bow Lightlys" perform a full cello ensemble concert during the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. He is re-engaged for 2024.

Mr. Kaboff studied with Janos Starker at Indiana University as well as Jacqueline DuPre’s teacher, William Pleeth, at the Holland Music Sessions in the Netherlands and at the Britten-Peers Summer School in England. In addition to serving as Mr. Pleeth’s teaching assistant, he studied at the International Academy of Chamber Music (now known as the Kronberg Academy), in Kronberg, Germany, with Arto Noras.

Mr. Kaboff is a frequent judge at local and regional competitions. He has also adjudicated the preliminary competition rounds at the 2000 Third World Cello Congress’s Master Class Competition, 2006 and 2012 Washington International Competition. He has assumed the role as chairman of the Washington International Competition for Strings (2022).

As a frequent guest lecturer, he has conducted master classes and performed at the Flinders Street Conservatorium in Adelaide, Australia, Purcell School of Music in London, England, Indiana University Summer String Program, Michigan State University, Longy School of Music in Boston, The Music Academy of North Carolina and the Universities of Texas (Rio Grande Valley), Tennessee and Rhode Island. He was in artist in residence in 2011and 2019 at Appalachian State University and was a featured artist at the 2010 Tennessee Cello Workshop.