Guitar, Bass
A native of Front Royal, Virginia, Jon has been involved with music since he started taking guitar lessons at six. He played throughout his youth, including playing clarinet and saxophone throughout middle and high school. He received a talent scholarship for Jazz guitar at the Conservatory of Shenandoah University, where he continued his musical journey in the study of Audio Engineering. While music production was a large part of his education, he also had the opportunity to hone his guitar-playing skills as an on-stage performer and session musician. He played in the Shenandoah Conservatory Big Band for over three years and played on more than 70 student-run recording sessions. Although he studied Jazz guitar in college, he regularly plays a wide variety of other genres, such as Blues, Soul, Rock, and Country.
Jon has studied with several teachers whose influence helped him grow as a musician. His guitar teacher during his childhood and teen years and his woodwinds teacher during high school were key to his musical development. Each of them supported him in learning the basics of his instruments, grounded him in music theory, and encouraged his artistic and creative growth. Jon now brings the well-rounded music education he received from them and others to his work with his students. He is most interested in understanding and responding to each individual student's goals and interests. Helping them succeed in achieving their goals is his greatest reward as a teacher.