Jonathan Perez - Bassoon Coach 

Jonathan Perez earned his degree from California State University Long Beach in 2014 with a specialization in instrumental education. As a student of Michele Grego, Jonathan’s bassoon methodology can be credited to Norman Herzberg, the United States’ most prolific bassoon teacher. Jonathan Perez has performed with several orchestras includeding Dana Point Symphony, Compton Symphony, Bellflower Symphony, La Mirada Symphony, and several others.

In 2015, a year after graduating with his degree, Jonathan made the decision to join the Peace Corps as an education specialist volunteer. While serving, he spent two years teaching general music, inter-communications technology, and financial literacy in the southwestern region of Uganda to future elementary school teachers. Besides his work with his local community, Jonathan’s specialization in double reeds opened the opportunity for him to travel throughout the continent of Africa as a member of the Kampala Symphony Orchestra and the Dar Es Salaam Choral Society. As the principal bassoonist in these orchestras, it was his responsibility to provide workshops and masterclasses for at-risk youth in the Eastern region of Africa.

Coming from a long line of teachers, Jonathan has always had an inclination toward child development and pedagogical theory. In fact, it was this passion for education that has led him to work with Wildwood Music Camp as a bassoon coach for 7 years. He is passionate about his students, and is comfortable working with any experience level. Jonathan is currently employed with five different schools in Irvine Unified School District while he pursues his teaching credential.