Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan Cohen is Principal Clarinet with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in New Zealand. A third generation clarinetist, Jonathan was born in New Orleans, beginning lessons with his father, Steve Cohen, at the age of 10.

He has performed as soloist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Upon finishing his Master of Music degree from Juilliard, Jonathan went on to play with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) for three seasons. His summer festival performances include appearances at the Mostly Mozart, Ravinia, Sunflower, Buzzard’s Bay, Naumburg Summer Series, and Minnesota Beethoven festivals among others.

He has recorded with the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Knights Chamber Orchestra under the Naxos and Warner Classics Labels.

Jonathan has also appeared as a guest member with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Virginia Symphony, The Knights Chamber Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), the Bavarian Radio Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

An avid educator as well, Jonathan maintained a private studio in Minnesota and continues to teach in New Zealand and the United States.

Jonathan’s major teachers have been Steve Cohen, Nathan Williams, Yehuda Gilad, Mark Nuccio, and Anthony McGill. He holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School.