BIOGRAPHY
Distinguished saxophonist, adjudicator, and clinician in the greater Portland area, Jonathan Hart serves students of all ages from southern Oregon to southern Washington. He currently holds the position of Artist Associate at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon whilst maintaining private saxophone lessons, both in person and online. Currently finishing his doctoral studies at the University of Iowa, Jonathan is actively performing in the greater Portland area, domestic and international competitions, and conferences. Along with performing, Jonathan also enjoys leading masterclasses at local high schools and adjudicating solo ensemble competitions.
Jonathan received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance at the University of Oregon and quickly began his Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, and establishing himself among the top upcoming saxophonists and pedagogues in the country. Since completing his coursework for his Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance in Pedagogy (D.M.A) at Iowa, Jonathan has returned to Portland, Oregon and is teaching as an Artist Associate at Willamette University, adjudicating local Solo Ensemble competitions in Oregon and Washington, privately teaching both in person and online, all while completing his research to complete his D.M.A. During his studies, Jonathan won or placed in numerous competitions, including winner of the University of Oregon Concerto/Aria Competition, 1st prize in the Golden Classical Music Awards Association competition, garnering his Carnegie Hall debut in New York City, New York, winner of the Iowa State round for the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Woodwind category, 2nd place in the Grande Ronde Concerto Competition, 2nd place in the prestigious William Byrd Concerto Competition, semifinalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance Collegiate Competition, honorable mention in the Schubert Club competition, and has appeared in both the 2019 and 2023 Adolphe Sax International Competition (ASIC), considered equivalent to the Queen Elisabeth Competition for saxophonists, held live in Dinant, Belgium, after being selected as one of the six Americans to play in the live rounds of the 7th ASIC in 2019, and among ~19 American candidates to attend in 2023, with only three attending both times.
His primary teachers are Jeff Homan, Idit Shner, and Kenneth Tse.
Outside of playing the saxophone, Jonathan works full-time at Allergy Clinic in Portland, Oregon, loves to play video games, cook and especially eat, and relax at home with his partner Kaylyn and their dog, Tulo, and their cats, Peanut and Ghost.