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GRAMMY®-Winning Trumpeter, Composer & Doctor of Musical Arts
Jonathan S.

5.0 (35 ratings)

99 hours tutoring

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About Jonathan

Bio

My name is Jonathan Saraga and I'm a GRAMMY®-winning trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, arranger, educator and Doctor of Musical Arts based out of New York City.

I have been working as a performing/recording artist for 2 decades as well as private teacher, ensemble coach, clinician and lecturer within public school, private school, charter school and university environments for the past 15 years. I appear on over 40 studio recordings, in over 250 YouTube videos, and have engaged with...

My name is Jonathan Saraga and I'm a GRAMMY®-winning trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, arranger, educator and Doctor of Musical Arts based out of New York City.

I have been working as a performing/recording artist for 2 decades as well as private teacher, ensemble coach, clinician and lecturer within public school, private school, charter school and university environments for the past 15 years. I appear on over 40 studio recordings, in over 250 YouTube videos, and have engaged with audiences in over 500 cities, nearly 70 countries and just short of 100 different universities world-wide.

Over the course of 25 years of musical training, I've earned 3 Trumpet Performance/Jazz Studies degrees, and have been recognized 35 times in the form competitive selections from 25 national and international organizations, and have performed throughout Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Asia and the U.S. via multiple national tours, and have been employed by dozens of GRAMMY®-nominated and/or winning artists.

Since 2010, I have been teaching all-level/all-age music playing and appreciation courses for a host of New York City-based organizations, including the Afro-Latin Jazz Academy, The Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, New York Ensemble Classes, the Lyceum Kennedy International School, Jubilee Enrichment Programs, Jazz Empowers and the New York Jazz Academy. I've also served as an ensemble coach, lecturer and private trumpet lesson instructor at the collegiate level, having worked for the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as Gray's Harbor College in Washington. I've even been a part of international educational outreach engagements in places like Costa Rica, Australia and Canada.

My private studio has been active since 2011 and has garnered 5-Star ratings on Yelp (47 Reviews) and Google (21 Reviews), as well as 2 “People Love us on Yelp" awards, a Lessons.com "Top Pro" award, a “Best of Tuturs.com” award and a "We're Highly Recommended by Locals on Alignable" award.

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Education

SUNY Purchase
Music
University of Colorado, Boulder
PhD
SUNY Purchase
Masters

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Approved Subjects

Composition (Music)

Composition (Music)

Since 2007, I’ve composed, performed, and recorded more than 25 original compositions — more than half being featured on albums released by multiple record labels, and five having received international awards or recognition. My compositional work also includes an abundance of music written to accompany original lyrics as well as dozens of customized arrangements of popular songs spanning decades. My original music has been performed at prominent venues throughout the United States, at international festivals in places like Haiti and Japan, as well as at live music competitions. It has been featured on NPR radio programs across the country, and has been showcased by universities and respected musical ensembles around the world. My work has also received high-level reviews from international jazz publications, such as Jazz Wise (UK), Jazz Magazine (France) and All About Jazz (US) who have remarked of it’s “astonishing maturity”, “inventiveness” and “inspiring sound.” Among the 15 awards and distinctions my songwriting and compositional work has received, some notable accolades include competitive selection by the Banff Center the ASCAP Foundation, BMI, the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers as well as the Keio Light Music Society of Tokyo, Japan. Additional honors include selected participation in the Composers Showcase hosted by The Jazz Gallery in New York City, finalist recognition in the Amsonia & Hermes Music International Composition Contest, and multiple distinctions from the International Songwriting Competition—including winner, finalist, honorable mention, and several semi-finalist placements—ranking among the top tiers of over 16,000 submissions. My work has also received competitive recognition from national and international artist-in-residence programs, including ChaShaMa chaNorth and Haleakalā National Park, as well as from the Unsigned Only Music Competition, where I placed among the top 12% of over 10,000 entries.
Ear Training

Ear Training

The process of composing, performing and even understanding music is hugely influenced by how much time we have spent listening to and analyzing what we hear. Over the course of the 2 decades and 30,000+ hours, I've acquired relative perfect pitch, and the ability to identify notes, intervals, chords and virtually all types of auditory musical information at an expert level. Not only did I excel in multiple ear-training specific courses during my 6 years of conservatory training, I have been able to apply that knowledge practically and have earned 30+ international musical awards over the course of my career thus far, some for musical performance and others for musical composition/arranging. Through my consistent and progressive ear-training practice, the music I've written has received 15 international awards and distinctions, including competitive selection by the Banff Center the ASCAP Foundation, BMI, the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers as well as the Keio Light Music Society of Tokyo, Japan. Additional honors include selected participation in the Composers Showcase hosted by The Jazz Gallery in New York City, finalist recognition in the Amsonia & Hermes Music International Composition Contest, and multiple distinctions from the International Songwriting Competition—including winner, finalist, honorable mention, and several semi-finalist placements—ranking among the top tiers of over 16,000 submissions.
General Music

General Music

I have been working as a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and studio musician for almost 2 decades and have been teaching full-time for the past 7, which includes nearly 3 at the University level. I have nearly 10 years of conservatory training, a Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degree, as well as over 20 years experience performing, recording, and competing on an international level. I appear on over 30 albums, over 180 YouTube videos, and my original music has received awards from over 20 internationally acclaimed organizations. I hold 3 degrees in music, including a doctorate, and have served nearly 400 people via educational outreach.
Music History

Music History

Over the 15+ years that I have been studying and concentrating on music and music performance, I have been exposed to numerous composers, performers, and cultures that have shared their passion for music with the world. From Gregorian Chants, to the Baroque period, to modern classical and beyond, there have been hundreds upon hundreds of musicians that have contributed their creativity and skills to the sea of music we know of today. It has been my interest to find the links between individual artists and time periods of music writing and performance in order to better know where music comes from, and how it has changed over time. I have been researching the roots and origins of musical genres and styles throughout the world, to further enhance my own abilities as a musician. It is always fascinating to discover new musicians, recordings, and material that has not been touched or seen, as well as study, dissect, and analyze the works of popular composers. All the perspectives realized from these studies will lend to your own creative palette as a musician. I look for these opportunities daily, in hopes of relating to what I already know, to further create the web of music history that I can use and share with others. For the past 4 years I have been doing just that, and I would love to continue with you.
Music Theory

Music Theory

I have spent 25 years studying the science and the math behind sound, and how to hear and notate sound to express thoughts, feelings, and intellectual ideas. I've applied this knowledge in my work as a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and studio musician based out of New York City for over 15 years, and as an educator for the past 10. Not only did I excel in multiple music theory specific courses during my 9 years of higher education, I have been able to apply that knowledge practically and earn 35 international musical awards over the course of my career presented by organizations like United States Artists, the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, The Jazz Foundation of America, and the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance, the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers, Chashama, the Banff Center, the School for Improvisational Music, the Haleakalā National Park Foundation and the Millay Colony. With over 15 years of teaching experience in private, public, charter, and collegiate settings, I’ve gotten to work closely with nearly 400 students and have held positions with New York City–based organizations including the Afro-Latin Jazz Academy of Music, Lyceum Kennedy International School, Jubilee Enrichment Programs, Jazz Empowers, the New York Jazz Academy, and the Gramercy Brass Orchestra. I’ve taught trumpet masterclasses and clinics across the country, served as a private instructor, ensemble director, and jazz history lecturer at colleges in Texas, Colorado, and Washington, and been invited to present at international educational conferences hosted by organizations such as the Jazz Education Network, the Association for Popular Music Education, and the International Society for Improvised Music, in cities including Atlanta, Edinburgh, and Melbourne.
Songwriting

Songwriting

Since 2007, I’ve composed, performed, and recorded more than 25 original works—over half featured on albums from multiple record labels, with five receiving international recognition. My compositional work includes music for original lyrics as well as dozens of customized arrangements of popular songs spanning decades. My music has been performed at prominent U.S. venues, international festivals, and competitions in places such as Haiti and Japan. It has been featured on NPR radio, showcased by universities and respected ensembles worldwide, and received high-level reviews from publications including Jazzwise (UK), Jazz Magazine (France), and All About Jazz (US), praised for its “astonishing maturity,” “inventiveness,” and “inspiring sound.” My compositions, performances, and scholarly work have earned 35 recognitions from 25 national and international organizations, reaching audiences in over 500 cities across nearly 70 countries and close to 100 colleges and universities. These accolades include winning the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, multiple distinctions from the International Songwriting Competition (top 1% of over 16,000 submissions), finalist recognition in the Amsonia & Hermes Music International Composition Contest and Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works Grant Competition, selected participation in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, and top 12% placement in the Unsigned Only Music Competition.
Trumpet

Trumpet

Out of the 30,000+ hours I’ve invested in my musical practice over the past two decades, the majority has been devoted specifically to trumpet performance. I’ve been performing, recording, and competing internationally for over two decades, with appearances in Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Asia, and the U.S. My trumpet playing appears on over 30 albums—including many that are Grammy-nominated or Grammy-winning—and in more than 230 YouTube videos. My compositions, performances, and scholarly work have received 35 recognitions from 25 national and international organizations and have reached audiences in over 500 cities across nearly 70 countries and close to 100 colleges and universities. As a trumpeter, I’ve earned awards and finalist recognition in major international competitions, elite institutional auditions, and professional ensemble selections, including winning the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and placing among five worldwide finalists in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. I have also been a finalist in competitive auditions with organizations such as Juilliard, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy—where I finished second in the country. I hold Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, have studied in six different intensive program environments as well as privately with some of the world’s leading music educators. With over 15 years of teaching experience in private, public, charter, and collegiate settings, I’ve gotten to work closely with nearly 400 students and have held positions with New York City–based organizations including the Afro-Latin Jazz Academy of Music, Lyceum Kennedy International School, Jubilee Enrichment Programs, Jazz Empowers, the New York Jazz Academy, and the Gramercy Brass Orchestra. I’ve taught trumpet masterclasses and clinics across the country, served as a private instructor, ensemble director, and jazz history lecturer at colleges in Texas, Colorado, and Washington, and been invited t
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (35 ratings)
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Reviews

My review of Jonathan

I just started learning how to play trumpet. And, I tried to self-learn a bit from 'how-to' videos on youtube but I always felt like I was doing something wrong. For starter, my trumpet pistons were not installed in the correct position. Jonathan pointed out that I might want to check that, and he was right. As soon as I fixed that, I started to sound a little better. So props to Jonathan for that. There are. a lot of new things Jonathan taught me that I couldn't learn from just watching youtube videos. Jonathan correctly diagnosed what i am doing wrong, and gave me the better/efficient ways to play the trumpet. I strongly believe that the practice routines Jonathan assigned specifically for me will accelerate my learning process. I've already seen a noticeable improvement for myself, and I really feel like I am in good hands, so to speak. He is also very passionate about teaching. With Jonathan, I felt like not a single minute in my 60-min session was wasted because everything Jonathan said was very helpful and inspiring for me. This is my review of Jonathan, and I highly recommend him!!!

Samuel, 9 lessons with Jonathan

Supportive Teaching From a Professional Musician

I've been taking lessons with Jonathan over the course of a few months now, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon. Right from the start, he was extremely receptive and enthusiastic towards my goals as a trumpet player and musician. With a few probing questions, he was able to discern my level of playing, and we were immediately able to get to work. Each lesson with Jonathan provides in-depth discussions on technique and theory, and their application in developing my own musical voice. As a teacher, Jonathan is incredibly supportive and patient. He always takes time to ensure I'm feeling comfortable with the concepts we discuss and work on. As a result, I'm appropriately challenged and leave feeling I've become a better musician and player. As a musician, well, just listen to his works and you'll understand how high a level he's at. I feel I could throw anything at him, and he'd be able to play it. His level of mastery, of course, inspires me, but I also feel comfortable in coming to him with questions about the many aspects of playing and performing music. All in all, I can't share enough how impactful these lessons have been towards my growth as a musician. I highly recommend Jonathan to anyone wanting to further their skills.

Riley, 12 lessons with Jonathan

Great first lesson

Jonathan and I started out by chatting about some of my perceived playing issues and goals and then moved into him listening to me play by giving me some exercises to do that helped him hear things. He seemed to immediately know what to do, is obviously an experienced teacher and I look forward to more lessons with him. 🙂

Haidee, 1 lesson with Jonathan

Great tutor

Had a great lesson with Jonathan! He was able to break down complicated concepts into small and easy pieces and this way we were able to achieve a lot.

Amit, 2 lessons with Jonathan
Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 48 minutes
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