Jonathan Rush

B.M., Ohio State University; M.M., Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University

Bio:

Jonathan Taylor Rush is an accomplished and visionary conductor hailing from Windsor, Conn. His musical journey is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to inspire joy and hope in the hearts of others.

Rush draws inspiration from the profound emotions evoked by the enthusiastic audiences that gather to experience his performances. Fueled by a deep passion for music, his mission is twofold: to cure someone’s bad day through the power of music and to ignite a passion among younger generations of musicians and creators, who may doubt the possibility of realizing their dreams.

Rooted in his musical upbringing within the church, Rush’s approach to conducting is imbued with elements of gospel and soul music. He fearlessly infuses his performances with soul and passion, breathing new life into the classical masterworks. An ardent advocate for living and underrepresented composers, Rush is committed to programming their music in the concerts he conducts. His dedication to inclusivity and representation shines through in every performance he leads.

Among his many achievements, Rush was named Assistant Conductor, and was later promoted to Associate Conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2020 to 2023. At the Baltimore Symphony, he curated the orchestra’s inaugural Gospel Fest, a groundbreaking event featuring the legendary gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard. While with the Baltimore Symphony, Rush also served as Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras. As Artistic Director, Rush led the ensemble on its first-ever international tour through Europe, showcasing their talents at renowned venues such as Dvořák Hall in Prague.

Rush’s conducting prowess has graced esteemed stages both nationally and internationally. He has made captivating debuts with renowned ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, and many more including his opera debut with the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center. His academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Jonathan’s Mentors and teachers of conducting are Joseph Young, Mei-Ann Chen, and Marin Alsop.