Jonathan Simmons is pursuing a DMA in Cello Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying with Dr. Alex Ezerman. As a soloist, he has performed with orchestras in Tennessee and South Carolina including in the Greenville, SC, Peace Center, and Powell Hall at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Jonathan is a two-time prizewinner in the Tennessee Cello Workshop Competition as well as the winner of the 45th Annual Ruth Kern Young Artists Concerto Competition in Atlanta. He frequently performs at non-traditional venues including the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Bo Bartlett Center. Jonathan has performed with the Greensboro Symphony, the Columbus (GA) Symphony, the LaGrange Symphony, and the Albany Symphony.
Jonathan has collaborated in recital with such musicians as pianist Alexey Trushechkin, first prize winner of the 2019 Liszt International Piano Competition, and renowned cello soloist Wendy Warner. He currently serves as the cellist of the UNCG Graduate String Quartet and principal cellist of the UNCG Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan recently graduated from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, where he studied with Wendy Warner and served as the graduate assistant for Orchestral Activities. As a passionate teacher, Jonathan is the author of the educational Cello Life Blog (https://jonathansimmonscello.com/tag/cello-life-blog/) and has experience teaching live online lessons to students as far away as Australia. To connect with Jonathan, visit his website (www.jonathansimmonscello.com)