About

Jonathan Jung, a pianist of South Korean-New Zealand heritage, delights audiences with his performances across the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Japan. He has been celebrated as a Guest Artist at the Texas State International Piano Festival and the Brevard Summer Music Festival. Jonathan has had the privilege of collaborating with orchestras, including the Eastman Philharmonic Orchestra, the Korean Philharmonic Orchestra of New Zealand, the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Youth Orchestra, and the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. He has been recognized through awards in prestigious competitions such as the Kerikeri Piano Competition, the Eastman Concerto Competition, the Kapiti Coast National Piano Competition, and the Christchurch National Piano Concerto Competition. Recordings and broadcasts of Jonathan's solo recitals and concerto performances have been featured on Radio New Zealand, World TV, and WSMC-FM.

In addition to his piano virtuosity, Jonathan is also an accomplished composer, premiering and performing his own compositions at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the University of Southern Mississippi, Tulane University, Hatch Recital Hall, and Brevard Music Center. His works have garnered acclaim, with New York Concert Review describing his pieces as having "striking Debussyian qualities" and a "mournful sound that was truly moving" in their review of his Carnegie Hall recital. Jonathan's passion for composition extends to writing music for various instruments, and he finds fulfillment as a devoted chamber musician.

Jonathan's educational background includes a Master of Music Degree and a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree with First Class from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. In pursuit of further studies, he was invited to the United States in 2009 to complete a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, a Master of Arts in Theory Pedagogy Degree, and a Master of Music Degree at the Eastman School of Music. Throughout his academic journey, Jonathan has had the privilege of learning from mentors such as Barry Snyder, Rae de Lisle, Read Gainsford, Douglas Humpherys, Thomas Schumacher, Steven Laitz, Elizabeth Marvin, Katherine Ciesinski, David Temperley, and Matthew Brown.

With a deep passion for collecting rare historical music recordings from the early twentieth century, Jonathan has merged this interest with his academic pursuits in music theory and analysis. His current research focuses on tempo rubato, specifically examining interpretations by nineteenth- and twentieth-century pianists. Jonathan's pedagogical study, titled "Structural Hearing of Rubato," delves into the nuanced aspects of tempo fluctuation in music performance, highlighting motives, counterpoint, and harmonization. He has presented his theoretical work at notable conferences, including the MTNA and the College Music Society.

Jonathan's dedication to teaching is evident in his roles as an instructor of Applied Piano, Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Class Piano sequences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Jones County Junior College. Since Fall 2017, he was a member of the faculty at Lee University, serving as Assistant Professor of Piano while continuing to pursue his teaching, research, and performance career. In addition, Jonathan held the position of Director at the Lee University International Piano Festival and Competition, where he actively recruited pianists from both national and international backgrounds. Beyond his academic responsibilities, Jonathan contributed his musical aptitudes as an organist in the music ministry at Second Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. He was appointed President of the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association, furthering his community work and regional and national collaborations.

Jonathan serves as the Director of Performance at the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music and is also a member of the piano faculty at the University of Auckland’s School of Music. Beginning in 2025, he will assume the role of Associate Organist at St Matthew-in-the-City in central Auckland. In addition to his academic roles, Jonathan maintains an active performance schedule, collaborating regularly with vocalists and instrumentalists across a wide range of genres and settings. Deeply passionate about innovation in music education, he is committed to advancing the future of piano performance and pedagogy in Aotearoa New Zealand through both teaching and artistic leadership.