Jonathan Smith
Percussionist Jonathan D. Smith is an active educator, chamber and orchestral musician, and soloist. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, where he serves as Section Percussion, and Jackson Symphony Orchestra, serving as Principal Percussion. Jonathan can also be seen performing with ensembles such as Detroit Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, and Lansing Symphony Orchestra. He has also participated in music programs at Interlochen, Music Academy of the West, and Pacific Music Festival.
With an immense background in musical theater, Jonathan is currently a percussionist with Disney’s production of Aladdin running on Broadway in New York City’s New Amsterdam Theatre. Some of his past Equity productions on both drum set and percussion include: The All Night Strut, Sisters of Swing, Nunsense, Nunsense II, Nunsense Jamboree, and Nunsensations. Non-Equity productions include: Legally Blonde, Next to Normal, A Little Night Music, Bonnie and Clyde, Godspell, School House Rock, My Favorite Year, Songs for a New World, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pirates of Penzance, The Robber Bridegroom, Kiss me Kate, Annie Get your Gun, The Pajama Game, Working, and Blues in the Night.
In 2017 Jonathan joined the esteemed faculty at Bowling Green State University as Adjunct Professor of Percussion. Placing an importance in education, he maintains a private studio of over 30 students and has presented masterclasses across North America. His research interests involve the freelancing percussionist with particular emphasis to Broadway’s musical theatre productions and how to best prepare the 21st century percussionist. Jonathan’s teaching philosophy is built upon an all-encompassing percussion skill set, adaptability, and consistency with a focus “Transferable Technique”, a topic that can be utilized on every percussion instrument.
In addition to his performing and teaching career, Jonathan is the Percussion Coordinator at the University of Michigan where he manages all percussive requirements for the School of Music Theatre & Dance.
