Jonathan Werk

Somewhere in life, I discovered that I could choose what music to play, instead of having it dictated to me, and I've never looked back. I am classically trained, but the curiosity and desire to explore other styles defines me more than any particular genre does. I have been hired to play video game music, chamber music, house concerts, orchestral performances, and traditional music for dancing events or in pubs. I started out playing piano as a small child, but I play many other instruments, including oboe, accordion, tin whistle, bombarde and didgeridoo.

After leaving a career as an Aerospace Engineer, I went back to school to get a Bachelor's in Music Performance, and then moved to Montreal to pursue graduate studies at the Schulich School of Music at McGill. I now work full time as a musician, performing across North America as a member of multiple bands, freelancing, working on my own solo projects, writing musical arrangements, producing recordings, and teaching.

I am an expert in music theory, harmony, and history, as well as an experienced composer and arranger. In 2024, I received grant funding to compose a set of original music for a circus and theatre production. I am a published artist, having produced and released multiple recordings of my own arrangements (written and performed by myself) on online streaming platforms. These include some piano arrangements of music from video game soundtracks. Some of my classical arrangements are available through Éditions Plamondon.

I hope to inspire my students to create music that feels true to who they are and what they love. I am available to teach piano, musicianship, theory, harmony, history and music making in a variety of traditional and popular styles.