Music Theory with Jonathan S.

Jonathan S. is a candidate for M.M. in Music Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, where he is studying tuba with Craig Knox (principal tubist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Center City Brass Quintet). At CMU, Jonathan has performed with the Philharmonic, Wind Ensemble, and the Contemporary Ensemble. His most recent performances can be regularly heard on 89.3 WQED.

 Outside of CMU, Jonathan is known for being the Executive Director and tubist of The Brass Roots brass ensemble. His orchestral experience includes serving as principal tubist with the Denver Philharmonic for 2 seasons, as well as performing with the Johnstown, Westmoreland, Aurora, Boulder, Arapahoe, and Longmont symphonies in Colorado. He has been under the baton of Marius Stieghorst, Gerrit Prießnitz, Alexander Kalajdzic, John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, Grammy Award-winning conductors Eric Whitacre and Robert Page, as well as Ronald Zollman, George Vosburgh, Andres Cardenes, Lawrence Golan, H. Robert Reynolds, Adam Flatt, and Scott O'Neil. 

 Beyond the orchestra, Jonathan has performed with such ensembles as the St. Louis Symphony Brass at the St. Louis Basilica, the National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York, and can be found on a recent recording with the Denver Brass, "Brass and Organ: Feel the Sound!". Jonathan has attended the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, the Spectrum Brass Seminar, and in 2013 attended the American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. While in Austria, he performed with Linda Watson (famous Wagnerian singer) in a performance of Wagner's Götterdämmerung, which was nationally broadcasted around Austria by Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF). 

Mr. S. received his B.M. in Music Performance from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, where he studied with Warren Deck (former principal New York Philharmonic) and Kathy Brantigan (Executive Director and tubist for the Denver Brass). He also attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied with Tom Riccobono and Truman State University, studying with Steve Seward (Kansas City Symphony).

 Jonathan currently lives in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He enjoys keeping up with his Missouri Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, running, and spending time with his girlfriend and dog. *** Lesson Details *** Lessons are catered to the student's specific goals, while maintaining a strong fundamental approach. Students are expected to work, but will be rewarded with progress. *** Studio Equipment *** Meinl Weston BBb tuba Meinl Weston CC tuba Miraphone F tuba Bach Strad Bass-trombone Custom organ drones for intonation Guitar amp for optimal volume levels on metronome Dr. Beat - DB90 & 88 Edirol Field Recorder Shure Mics *** Travel Equipment *** I expect my students to have an instrument and a few required books. Theory students are required to purchase one theory book and staff paper. *** Specialties *** I mainly specialize in classical. I have been classically trained in both music theory and brass pedagogy.