JSO Musician Spotlight – Jonathan D. Smith

Who is Jonathan D. 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 the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, serving as Principal Percussion. Jonathan can also be seen and heard performing with ensembles such as the Detroit Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and Lansing Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in music programs at Interlochen, Music Academy of the West and Pacific Music Festival taking him from North America to Asia performing a vast variety of music in different halls. In 2017 Jonathan joined the faculty at Bowling Green State University as Adjunct Professor of Percussion. 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.

Career Highlights

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.

Personal Tidbits

Jonathan was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. Raised by two musical parents, John Dale and Janine Smith, he had an immense amount of exposure to the arts at a young age. He attended the University of Michigan and the Juilliard School. In 2016 Jonathan completed his DMA from the University of Michigan, where he was awarded a full tuition scholarship and served as a Graduate Student Instructor teaching percussion methods and coaching U of M’s famed percussion ensemble.