Teacher & Adjudicator

Amongst Australia's most respected

"I have observed Jonathon on many occasions in his work as a conductor and as a vocal clinician, and in my experience he is one of the finest vocal instructors anywhere. With his own vast experience as a professional singer, he is able to instruct and encourage others - of any level of ability – to excel as soloists, choir members, opera performers or practically any type of vocalist. This is a rare gift indeed.

"Jonathon is also highly skilled conductor, comfortable with all musical styles. He has a vast knowledge of the choral repertoire, and is a champion of contemporary works including everything from pops to artsong.

"In addition to his fine abilities as a singer and director, Jonathon has an infectious energy and personality, with a sense of humor that I would characterize simply as delightfully Australian! Whether being interviewed on national TV or running choir rehearsal, Jonathon shares his passion for music in a way that is uniquely memorable."

– Dr. Kathleen McGuire
Artistic Director and Conductor, SFGMC (USA)
Conductor, Community Women's Orchestra (Oakland, California, USA)

Jonathon has taught for the NSW Education Department’s Training Development Program and Southern Stars, David Aitken’s Studios and Brent Street and ED5 Studios, with many of his students going on to study and work in professional theatre and television around the world including members of High Five and Ajaqa, at NIDA, WAPA, Opera Australia and Canberra School of Music, Victorian College of the Arts, Australian Catholic University, and the Moulin, Paris.

Jonathon continues his busy performing, teaching and conducting career alongside commitments as Vocal Consultant to the Southern Stars and Wollongong Performers Company as part of the NSW Education Department.

Jonathon has also adjudicated many of Australia’s major Eisteddfods including City of Sydney, Parramatta, Australian Capital Territory, City of Hobart, Gold Coast, Bendigo, West Gippsland, Geelong, and Mount Gambier.

Highly respected by his peers and students alike as one of Australia’s finest voice teachers and workshop presenters, Jonathon has taught for many of the best performance institutions in Australia including:

1994–1996 David Aitken’s “Dynamite Dance Studios” – Head of Vocal Studies, Performing Arts Course
1997–2002 Brent Street Studios – Head of Vocal Studies, Full Time Performing Arts Course
1997–2007 NSW Training Development Program, Consultant Voice Teacher and workshop presenter
2002–2004 ED5 – Guest Voice Teacher, Performing Arts Course
1980–2007 Private vocal teaching and workshops
2004–2007 The Dance Studio, Brisbane, Southern Stars, Wollongong – vocal/choral consultant
2005–2007 Australian Catholic University, Christian College, Geelong
2007 – Monash University – Viva Voce Choir, Melbourne Grammar

After a period of intense coaching, many of Jonathon’s students have gone on to study at some of Australia’s finest performance institutions and to perform as soloists and in ensembles professionally in Australia and overseas in many areas of theatre & television, including:

Opera Australia – vocal coach to Joanna Cole for Lindy, La Traviata, Lucia, Rigoletto etc.
Moulin, Paris – ensemble member
NIDA – students in Full Time Music Theatre Course
Melba Conservatorium – Vocal Workshop and Final Year Examiner
Canberra School of Music – Full-time opera student
Victorian College of the Arts – students in Drama and Music Theatre courses
WAPA (Western Australia Performing Arts) – students in Full Time Music Theatre Course
West End – London – Chris Fennesy as “Jean Val Jean”, Les Miserables
Musicals – students performing in Man of La Mancha, Grease, Fame, Sweet Charity, Hair, Les Miserables, Cats, Pirates of Penzance, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver!, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago etc.
Television – Australian Idol finalists, Good Friday Appeal (Victoria)
Schools Spectacular (Sydney), Southern Stars (South Coast NSW) – trained featured soloists including Paulini, Human Nature, Luke Dolahenty, Amelia Mc Murrary, Tiffany O’Connor
Tamworth Music Festival – Winner Best New Talent 2004 – Travis Collins
Winners of quests and eisteddfods in NSW – e.g. Matthew Dunne, Christine Tyrrell, Luke Dolahenty
Hi-5 – Charli
AJAQA – Female vocal ensemble – signed recording artists

With a vast array of musical, vocal and theatrical knowledge Jonathon is highly in demand as a guest conductor and/or workshop leader. Jonathon has been invited to work with:

Portland USA – GALA Choral Festival
Toronto GALA Choral Festival
San Francisco Men’s Chorus
Montreal GALA Festival
Raised Voices – NSW
IV Intervarsity Festival 2002 Festival Sydney
GALS – Auckland – New Zealand
Chicago USA – Catholic Church Assemblies
NSW Department of Education – Training Development Program
Southern Stars, NSW Education Department
ANCA (Australian National Choral Association) NSW
Festival of Voices, Hobart
Pembroke College, South Australia
Southern Stars – Performance Training Unit NSW