Teacher Profile: Jonathan Stoots

About Jonathan Stoots

Jonathan Stoots is a conductor, composer, and performer based in the Orlando FL area. His interest in music began in music theatre where he was cast in his first show at the age of 7. When he was in middle school, he was enrolled in private voice lessons and began to play his first instrument, French Horn. Throughout middle and high school, Jonathan pursued both the music route and the theatre route, performing with school, community, and professional theatre troupes as well as playing in the school band, marching band, and the youth orchestra. During his Junior year in high school, he began to compose for the first time. It was from this that he fell in love with music and decided to pursue that and forego a career in musical theatre. His ability to write music led to conducting opportunities and the chance to study Orchestral Conducting at Syracuse University. During his undergraduate studies at Radford University and graduate studies at Syracuse University, Jonathan continued to study and play French Horn and sing in choirs. Jonathan also began to build up his piano skills during his collegiate studies and lead worship at the collegiate ministries he was a part of. After college, Jonathan moved to Kansas City to become the Music Director of Knox Presbyterian Church and conduct the Overland Park Orchestra and the Philharmonia of Kansas City. Today he lives in Orlando and serves as the Music Director of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora. Jonathan teaches French Horn, Voice, Piano, Trumpet, and Composition to families in the Orlando area!

Jonathan has extensive and varied performing experience from school theatre productions to professional symphonies. He played French Horn in the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble, the Radford University Symphonic and Concert Bands, and the Radford University Highlander Woodwind Quintet, with whom he toured Ireland as a soloist. Vocally, he has performed with many ensembles including the Syracuse University Singers, the Syracuse Oratorio Society, the Radford Pitches a cappella group, and many theatre companies through music theatre. As a conductor and composer, he has worked with bands and orchestras across the country including the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Fargo-Moorehead Symphony Orchestra, the Omaha Symphony, the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble, and the Overland Park Orchestra among others. As Music Director of First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora and Knox Presbyterian Church, Jonathan has 5 years of experience leading worship playing the piano and providing lead vocals.

Jonathan has taught students from 1st grade to graduate students in college. Jonathan taught music theatre with the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio, of which he is an alum, from 2014-2020. This studio taught middle and high school students music theatre skills, bringing in professional actors from Broadway each year to help students succeed in this career. Jonathan was also a music theory tutor at Radford University. During his graduate studies, Jonathan taught undergraduate and graduate students in classes such as conducting, orchestra repertoire, rehearsal techniques, and orchestration. During his role as Music Director for Knox Presbyterian Church and the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, Jonathan taught the elementary school choir. These choirs consisted of students with varying ability from 1st through 6th grade.

Jonathan has an individual approach when it comes to teaching. His teaching philosophy is all about relationships and why the student is interested in music. Because not every student likes the same type of music and not every student learns the same way, he individualizes his lesson according to each students desires, interests, and needs. By focusing on the students interests and desires, Jonathan strives to create a fun and encouraging environment in his lessons. If his students are growing in their love and appreciation of music and how it connects with their lives, then he is doing his job. Jonathan ultimately desires to know his students and give them the tools to be able succeed in whatever they do, whether or not it is music.