Educated in Minnesota at Macalester College in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota, Cary John Franklin has studied with Pulitzer-prize winning composer Dominick Argento and Dale Warland. Other mentors include Philip Brunelle and William McGlaughlin.

Cary John Franklin is a nationally recognized composer with commissions and performances from many of the leading performing ensembles in the United States. His work ranges from chamber music to orchestral music, from choral music to opera. Mr. Franklin has received commissions from the Dale Warland Singers, VocalEssence, Kansas City Symphony, Chanticleer, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Washington National Opera and the Schubert Club of St. Paul. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, McKnight Fellowship, Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship and Meet The Composer-in-Residence with VocalEssence. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and publishers.

Selected performances and recordings include those by Chanticleer, Dale Warland Singers, Gregg Smith Singers, VocalEssence, Kurt Elling, Christopher Kachian and the Singing Wilderness Festival of Ely, MN.

Cary John Franklin is Music Director of the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis and among his guest conducting invitations are the Minnesota Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Washington National Opera and MacPhail Center for Music. Mr. Franklin has served four terms on the Board of the American Composers Forum, is a past Chair of ACF and has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.