1. He is the longest-serving concertmaster in the history of the Des Moines Symphony. 
    Jonathan has been concertmaster of the Des Moines Symphony since 1991! We are thankful for his enduring commitment and leadership to our Orchestra! 
  2.  He is a Professor of Music at Iowa State University. 
    Jonathan teaches at Iowa State University. There, he received an outstanding teaching award in 2009 and an outstanding service award in 2017. Additionally, he has presented at numerous conferences and written multiple journal articles about a variety of topics within music scholarship. 
  3.  He started his professional orchestral career at the age of 15. 
    At age 15, Jonathan joined the second violins of the Norfolk (VA) Symphony. He went on to receive professional training at Oberlin Conservatory, The Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University. 
  4.  He is a world-touring violist. 
    Along with playing the violin in the Symphony, Jonathan performed as a violist in the Ames Piano Quartet for 19 years. He toured Russia, Cuba, South Africa, Canada, and the United States with the ensemble.
  5.  He has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra ten times. 
    Jonathan has been featured as a soloist with the Des Moines Symphony ten times. Most recently, he performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto with his wife, Julie Sturm, Principal Cellist of the Des Moines Symphony.