About

Jonathan Wetzker started learning piano at the age of 7 and got serious about his study of music as a teenager. In High School, he performed as a soloist on piano with the symphonic band and the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor with the orchestra. He built up his solo repertoire and skills through annual adjudication in MTAC and won the Northern San Diego Branch’s scholarship competition for graduating high school seniors.

As a growing artist, he studied piano with Stephen Thomas and earned a bachelor's degree in piano performance at Brigham Young University-Idaho. While there, he was selected to play in various masterclasses with active performers including Angela Cheng, Vedrana Subotic, Dario Ntaca, and Dinara Klinton. He played in student organ recitals and expanded his collaborative experience in a piano quintet and trio.

Some accomplishments include winning first prize at the Musician’s West Competition in Pocatello, ID, performing at the Amalfi Coast Piano Festival, and receiving the Rockwood Piano Scholarship from his graduate school audition. At the Amalfi Festival, he took part in masterclasses or had lessons with James Giles, Kevin Fitzgerald, Bernadine Blaha, Wei-Yi Yang, and Douglass Humphreys. Jonathan is currently in his first year of study as a master's student at Florida State University, earning a degree in piano performance and pedagogy. He studies piano with Read Gainsford.

Alongside his artistic ambitions, Jonathan has his own studio of piano students from the community. His students regularly participate in recitals at the university and in other performing opportunities in Tallahassee, Florida. His focus on correct technique and developing artistry enables his students to love playing (and practicing!) the piano.

In his undergraduate studies, he served as the president of his collegiate chapter in MTNA, actively motivating other collegiate pianists to contribute to quality music education in their communities. In the FSU Collegiate Chapter, Jonathan has presented at the annual state conference for music teachers, and will present an expanded version of his research on gamifying teaching and practice at the National Conference in March, 2026.