Jonathan Helton, soprano saxophone

Concert saxophonist Jonathan Helton has been heard in performance throughout the United States, Canada, in Europe and the Far East, appearing with orchestras and wind ensembles, in recital, and in numerous chamber concerts. He has performed in Chicago, Montreal, Paris, London, Beijing, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Washington, D.C., Miami, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Minneapolis, and New York City's Lincoln Center. His performance credits include concerto appearances with the New Philharmonia of Riverside in New York City, the Winston-Salem (NC) Symphony, the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Center for New Music (Iowa), the North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, the University of Florida Wind Symphony, the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Harper Symphony Orchestra, the United States Air Force Tactical Air Command Band, and the Twelfth and Fifteenth World Saxophone Congress Wind Orchestras. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Grant Park Symphony, the Lake Forest Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Helton is featured in solo and chamber music performances on compact discs from Centaur, Elf/Ludwig, Innova, Mark Records, and Music from Northwestern labels.

Dr. Helton holds degrees from the North Carolina School of the Arts and Northwestern University. His teachers include James Houlik, Frederick Hemke, Daniel Deffayet, and Jean-Marie Londeix. From 1992 to 1999 he served on the faculty at Northwestern University teaching saxophone and chamber music, and held an administrative position Coordinating the Wind and Percussion Programs. Helton is currently on the faculty of the University of Florida where he teaches saxophone, chamber music and conducts the New Music Ensemble. Helton is a Selmer Artist-Clinician, and a Past-President of the North American Saxophone Alliance.