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Jonathan Bernard, percussion

Jonathan combines his background in western percussion with a fascination for Asian traditions to create a unique sound palette incorporating a myriad of instruments, techniques and styles. Jonathan’s interests span genres from orchestral music, to new music, and intercultural music. Having premiered over 100 chamber works, Jonathan regularly performs with the Vancouver, Victoria, CBC Radio Orchestras, and is principal percussionist with the Vancouver Island Symphony. He is a member of Turning Point Ensemble, Orchid Ensemble, Sound of Dragon Ensemble, Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Sounds Global Ensemble, BC Chinese Music Ensemble, Lalun, and Naadaleela. Jonathan performed as soloist in Tan Dun’s Water Concerto and Jin Zhang’s No Rush at Taipei’s National Concert Hall. Jonathan’s interest in non-western musics has led him to perform in diverse settings and ensembles. Jonathan studied percussion at the University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia. He has studied traditional and contemporary Chinese percussion in Beijing, China; Arabic percussion in Cairo, Egypt; Flamenco Compas in Spain; and Carnatic rhythm in South India, with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and British Columbia Arts Council.  Jonathan has toured throughout North America, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan.