 Although Pyrlaeus might now be first-known as a teacher of Antes, he was the founder of the Bethlehem "collegium musicum", a capable singer, instrumentalist, and organist, and was also a missionary to Native Americans.In 1752, John entered the boys school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and in 1760, was admitted into the Single Brethren's choir, also in Bethlehem.Antes left Bethlehem in 1764 and travelled to Herrnhut, Germany, the international center of the Moravians, to pursue a career as a missionary.