Jonathan Yasuda, pianist, born in Boston, began his music studies at the All Newton Music School, and at age twelve, received first place in the school’s concerto competition. Jonathan enrolled in the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, soon receiving first place in the Preparatory School’s Concerto Competition. Upon graduation, he received honorable distinctions and certifications in the fields of theory, chamber music, and piano performance.
Jonathan graduated with honors from the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in Music with a minor in Economics-Accounting and a Pre-Law concentration. He served as the Brooks Scholar for his class, gratefully accepting a full tuition merit based presidential scholarship. In addition to fulfilling his academic responsibilities on campus, Jonathan concurrently studied at the New England Conservatory throughout college. He continued his weekly studies in advanced music theory, composition and piano performance, with pianist, Jonathan Bass, and composer, Rodney Lister. Notable private master class teachers include Gunther Schuller, Robert Levin, and Daniel Pinkham, among others. Jonathan also served as special assistant to pianist Emmanuel Ax and The King’s Singers.
Post college, Jonathan further developed his piano performance career as a founding member of the Worcester Chamber Music Society. He earned a Specialist Certificate in General Music Studies from Berklee College of Music, and studied Juris Doctorate coursework extensively at New England Law Boston for several years as an evening law student. He gained valuable legal insight and experience at the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, among other law firms in Manhattan and Boston. He defended artists’ intellectual property rights, and served as a Steering Committee member of the Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition. Jonathan received national recognition from the National Jurist Magazine and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Magazine for his dedication to defending artists’ rights as a law student against major record labels and international corporate conglomerates.
In 2012, Jonathan founded the 501(c)3 nonprofit Volunteer Musicians for the Arts, Inc. in order to deliver exceptional classical chamber music outreach performances to Boston area hospitals, educational institutions, and accessible outdoor spaces. Artists in Residence consist of local professional classical instrumentalists and singers who live the VMA mission and spirit: that everyone deserves orchestra seats. Whether performing for patients and visitors at Massachusetts General Hospital or passersby in the Boston Public Garden, Jonathan and the VMA strive to promote wellness while raising classical music awareness.
Jonathan currently serves as piano performance Lecturer at the College of the Holy Cross and piano faculty at Merry Melody Music Academy. As a private event pianist crossing beyond the classical genre, he has worked for notable clients such as General Electric, Natixis Global Asset Management, CB Richard Ellis, Taj Hotel, Boston Harbor Hotel, Omni Parker House, among others. A longtime member of Community Boating, Inc., Jonathan has spent over 20 years sailing on the Charles River Basin, and supervised boathouse operations as Dockmaster. He is proud to have earned the title of Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine Officer.