Creating
Creativity fascinates me:
how we bring a hidden thought to the surface
how we give it shape
how one person can spark another
how we can be surprised by what emerges
I love to create across different styles. When I improvise at the piano I draw on contemporary classical, jazz, world and pop genres.
My background is as a conductor, classroom teacher, writer and presenter. All these feed into how I understand music, lead workshops and communicate to very different audiences.
My specialism is collaborative creativity, particularly in advanced musicians. This was the subject of my PhD and informs my work at conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Royal College of Music. It also is at the foundation in my role as a Creative Lead for National Children’s Orchestra and leader of the Advanced Young Musicians’ programme in Aldeburgh.
I also have developed skills in improvising in and teaching different traditional styles from across the world, thanks to my work with the Dovetail Orchestra, a national charity that supports asylum seekers through music.
‘Jonathan delivered an inspiring, energetic and engaging workshop which really encouraged our students to listen and respond to each other musically. Most pleasingly, the impact of this work has continued to permeate their performance practice throughout the year’
-Helen, Course leader, Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Even after thirty years of facilitating group creativity, I still marvel at how quickly and deeply music bonds people and gives us a collective purpose.
I’ve led projects for many orchestras and their ‘Participation’ teams, such as the Czech Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and BBC Orchestras.
In the Bristol Pre-Conservatoire, we put a special emphasis on training creativity and versatility. I see those as essential to complete musicianship. It’s a fun place to teach and learn, based a lot on the kind of musical education I would have loved to have had at that age (11-19yrs).
I also enjoy bringing this experience to my community work, which has become core to my musical life and outlook. Having worked with people recovering from addiction, my main focus is now with asylum-seekers and refugees, through Dovetail Orchestra.
This work, together with the directorship of Bristol Pre-Conservatoire, contributed to my being awarded a British Empire Medal for services to music in the King’s birthday honours 2024.
- Dovetail Orchestra
- Weekly music group for asylum-seeking musicians
- Aldeburgh Young Musicians
- Musicianship tutor and workshop leader
- Bristol Recovery Orchestra
- Bristol Recovery Orchestra for musicians recovering from addictions. With Bristol Drug Project and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Bristol Pre-Conservatoire
- Bristol Pre-Conservatoire for talented young classical and jazz students
- Gerald Finzi Trust
- Trustee, Finzi Trust (with focus on supporting new composers) and Changing Tunes charity for music in prisons
- NCO
- Creative lead, National Children’s Orchestra
‘Jon has brought energy, creativity, professionalism and sparkle to Bristol Recovery Orchestra…He is one of a kind and we are so grateful to have his expertise and experience with us.’-Sophie, Creative Communities leader, Bristol Drugs Project
Presenting
I have studied and practised the craft of connecting with your audience:
how to read the room and pitch accordingly
how to catch people hook, line and sinker
how to illustrate and illuminate your words
how to use your body and voice
I mainly speak about classical music for orchestras and in concert venues across the UK. I like to bring the music alive on the piano and through illustrations.
My focus is on how the music works and on demystifying the creative process.
I also am a passionate speaker about the potential of music and the arts to create sanctuary. As the founder and artistic director of Dovetail Orchestra, I have first hand experience of this work that I love to share.
Whatever I speak about, I do so with bags of enthusiasm. This is a signature trait.
As a talk host for St David’s Hall, Jon always produces insightful, entertaining and well-presented talks. He has a knack for pitching his considerable knowledge to any audience, from families to the most music-savvy crowd. He is an extremely good communicator.’
My conducting experience and work as a chamber coach means I can bring practical experience to the talks and insight into the mechanics of the score. After a fellowship with the Boston Philharmonic, I have conducted BBC orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic, and the Bristol Ensemble. Currently I run the
St Ambrose Choir, who make a heavenly sound. I have coached chamber music locally, for Bristol Pre-Conservatoire and nationally, for the Pro Corda senior course.
Clients include:
Cadogan Hall London
National Concert Hall, Dublin
Usher Hall Edinburgh The Sage Gateshead
Bridgewater Hall Manchester
St David’s and Brangwyn Halls in Wales
Beacon Hall and St George’s Bristol
Anvil Arts Basingstoke
Cambridge Corn Exchange and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
BBC Radio 3 work for BBC Philharmonic and BBC National Orchestra of Wales
‘Braving the Stave’: a fun monthly podcast exploring classical music for Arts Active, St David’s Hall
‘Jon is also an adept interviewer of musicians and conductors, and readily communicates his profound knowledge and understanding of the subject matter with great enthusiasm.’
Consulting
In 2023, I was invited by Tom Redmond, director of the Chethams School of Music, to devise a model for training musicianship that would unite the approaches across their whole school, junior learners to senior, academic to practical.
- Wells Cathedral School music tutors
- Highgate School, London, music department
- South West Music School students
- Aldeburgh Advanced Young Musicians’ programme
A day’s visit usually costs £450 plus travel.
To book a training session, please email me to discuss your needs.