Dr. Jonathan Girard, B.Mus. (Hartt), M.Mus. (Boston), D.M.A. (Eastman)
Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Conducting and Ensembles

Office: 604.827.5307, Room 316
Email: jonathan.girard(at)ubc.ca 
Website: www.jonathangirard.com

Dr. Girard most recently served as cover conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and made his debut with that orchestra conducting a program of Russian music.  Dr. Girard is also currently assistant conductor of The Ohio Light Opera.

Previously, Dr. Girard was at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music as a Visiting Artist Conductor from 2010-2011. There he conducted the symphony orchestra performances, including one attended by First Lady Michelle Obama, and a production of Die Fledermaus that was broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio. 

At the Eastman School of Music Dr. Girard studied conducting with Neil Varon and was the assistant conductor of the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Philharmonia, and the Eastman Opera Theatre. A champion of new music, he conducted numerous world premieres at Eastman with Ossia New Music including a North American premiere of Richard Ayres NONcerto for Trumpet and Orchestra.

He has held positions as the music director of the New Eastman Outreach Orchestra and Waltham Philharmonic (MA), associate conductor of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra (MA), principal guest conductor of the Boston Orpheus Ensemble and assistant conductor of the Portland (ME) Opera Repertory Theatre.

Dr. Girard has conducted many prestigious ensembles, including the American Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish Academy Symphony Orchestra, Alea III, the Brown University Symphony Orchestra, the Boston University Symphony Orchestras, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players.

Also an organist and saxophonist, Dr. Girard has held distinguished organist positions in Boston, MA and Rochester, NY.  A proponent of contemporary music, he performed several world premieres of saxophone music and became the first saxophonist ever to perform with the Emerson String Quartet.

Dr. Girard received his D.M.A. from the Eastman School of Music in 2012. He also holds music degrees from Boston University and The Hartt School of Music.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys flying airplanes.  He holds both private and instrument pilot ratings