Johan Naus started his clarinet study with Leo van Tol in Maastricht and continued his education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, obtaining his master’s degree cum laude. At the age of 22 - still a student - Johan obtained the position of Principal Clarinet with the Maastricht-based Limburg Symphony Orchestra, nowadays the philharmonie zuidnederland. Since 2016, he has held the same position in Phion, formerly Orkest van het Oosten. Additionally, he is a member of Ensemble88, which focuses on contemporary chamber music. 

Johan has performed as a soloist with philharmonie zuidnederland, Phion and Nieuw Nijmeegs Kamerorkest. He also played as a guest musician with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of The Hague and other ensembles. With the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra he toured Europe, giving concerts at festivals such as the Lucerne Festival and Musikfest Berlin. He has worked with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, David Robertson, Jonathon Nott, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Mariss Jansons.