About Jonathan Echevarria
Jonathan Echevarria began his studies on viola at age sixteen with Philadelphia Orchestra's Assistant Principal, Kerri Ryan. Prior to viola, Mr. Echevarria studied piano, violin, and cello with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Bay-Atlantic Symphony, and Delaware Symphony. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance on scholarship at the John J. Cali School of Music, studying under Honggang Li of the Shanghai Quartet and Kathryn Lockwood of the Lark Quartet. Mr. Echevarria is currently pursuing his Master's of Music Degree at Rice University, Shepherd School of Music on full scholarship with Ivo-Jan Van Der Werff.
Mr. Echevarria has performed on the stages of Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium Perelman Stage, and Weill Recital Hall, The Kimmel Center for The Performing Arts' Verizon Hall, Barge Music, and internationally at the East Normal University. He made his solo debut in November of 2015, as a prize winner in the John J. Cali School of Music Concerto Competition. He has performed in masterclasses for names such as Ettore Causa, Cynthia Phelps, Jay Liu, Herbert Kefer, Paul Neubauer, and CJ Chang. He has held principal and assistant principal positions in the The Cali Camerata, MSU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, LUX Orchestra, The Shepherd School of Music Opera Orchestra, The Westfield Choral Society Orchestra, The Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra, The Shepherd School of Music Symphony Orchestra, The Maine Chamber Music Seminar Orchestra and has played in the sections of The Pasadena Philharmonic and The New England Symphonic Ensemble. He has attended festivals including Interlochen Center for The Arts, The Chamber Music Institute, The Aspen Music Festival and School, and The Maine Chamber Music Seminar. In addition, he has scored and recorded for film and studio albums.
As a passionate music educator, Mr. Echevarria has held a teaching studio for over 5 years ranging from ages 4 to 83! Growing up, he spent many years visiting his mother's classroom which led him to adopt a teaching style that is individualized, and caters to the student's unique learning style. In addition, he has volunteered in after-school string programs providing instrumental demonstrations and performances in public and charter schools throughout New Jersey. He currently teaches in the Houston area.
