Jonathan Hooper
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BMus, MBA
Jonathan was born in 1980 in Cornwall, UK, where he began his musical journey with the county’s Youth Brass Bands. Demonstrating exceptional promise from an early age, he progressed rapidly to perform with senior Championship-level ensembles, laying the foundation for a distinguished professional career.
In 2003, Jonathan left Cornwall to pursue undergraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he studied under the guidance of Chris Houlding and Adrian Morris. During his second year, he began freelancing with some of the UK’s leading orchestras, including the Hallé Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, and the Orchestra of Opera North.
Following the completion of his undergraduate studies, Jonathan was appointed Principal Bass Trombone of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra for a six-month sabbatical cover in South Africa. He subsequently returned to the UK to continue his freelance career alongside a growing commitment to brass tuition and education.
In 2012, Jonathan won the position of Principal Bass Trombone with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and relocated to Durban. Over the next eleven years, he established himself as both a leading orchestral musician and a dedicated educator, contributing significantly to South Africa’s musical life, in the expansion of music across South Africa through outreach programs within the Orchestra and in education.
In 2023, Jonathan returned to London to undertake a Fellowship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Dave Stewart, Eric Crees, Simon Wills, and Mark Templeton. During this period, he continued to freelance and teach before relocating to Sydney in August 2025.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has performed with numerous orchestras and distinguished conductors, appearing at major festivals and events including the BBC Proms. In 2013, he had the profound honour of performing at the funeral and burial ceremony of Nelson Mandela.
Teaching: Trombone
Levels: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Ages: Children, Youth, Adults
Genres: Classical, Contemporary
Available: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday