Jonathan studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Atar Arad and Mischa Geller and was awarded all the major prizes for viola
He graduated with distinction in 1983 and was immediately offered a position with the English Chamber Orchestra where he was appointed co-principal viola in 1988. He was sponsored by the ECO Music Society in his London recital debut at the Purcell Room, and he has since regularly played concertos with the orchestra.
As a very versatile artist, Jonathan has managed a varied career and is much in demand as a soloist and chamber musician both in the UK and abroad. He has subsequently worked with most of the London orchestras and has guest lead the viola sections of ensembles including the London Symphony, Philharmonia, London Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, London Mozart Players, BBC Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
From 1995 to 2001 Jonathan was a member of the Allegri String Quartet. He returned to the English Chamber Orchestra in 2001 as principal viola.
He joined the Coull String Quartet in 2015 and now divides his time between the quartet and teaching at the Royal College of Music. He plays a Giovanni and Francesco Grancino viola c.1680.