Reciprocity: Biographies

Jan. 7, 2025

Jonathan Rowsell, tuba

Dr. Jonathan Rowsell grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he studied both tuba performance and composition at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2018, he graduated from the University of Toronto with a Doctor of Musical Arts in tuba performance. Jonathan is a proud Eastman Performing Artist and performs throughout Ontario with various groups including the Trillium Brass Quintet, Stratford Symphony, Hannaford Street Silver Band, London Symphonia, Hamilton Philharmonic, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, Esprit Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Stratford Festival, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.

Jonathan is the Musician-in-Residence for brass at Laurier University’s Faculty of Music where he serves as the coordinator for Winds, Brass, and Percussion. In addition, He is an enthusiastic composer and arranger and has had his works for brass performed and recorded in Canada and abroad. Jonathan’s music has been published by SP&S, Maple Leaf Brass, Experianza Music, Cimarron Music Press, and BrookWright Music.

Denis Jiron, euphonium and bass trombone

Denis Jiron is a native of Los Angeles, California and enjoys a varied career that includes performing with symphony orchestras, pop acts, Afro-Cuban/salsa artists, TV shows, big bands, and education. Denis was appointed acting-2nd trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 2017-2018. He has also held positions with the Riverside Philharmonic (Principal Trombone) and the Hofer Symfoniker (2nd/1st Trombone) and has been guest trombonist with the LA Opera, Sapporo Symphony, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Pacific Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and Toronto Symphony orchestras. Denis is currently principal trombone of the Jackson Symphony and Midland Symphony orchestras. He has also appeared with many artists and shows, including: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Gladys Night, Chris Botti, The Voice, American Idol, The Ellen Show, The Tonight Show, American Music Awards, Amanda Miguel, Diego Verdaguer, The Midnighters, Budman/Levy Jazz Orchestra, Al McKay-Earth Wind and Fire Experience, Tito Nieves, Eddie Santiago, Jimmy Bosch and many others. In 2004 he founded and directed the Afro-Cuban orchestra, Rumbankete, which released its first album in 2011. He has held adjunct trombone professor positions at California State University Los Angeles and California State University San Bernardino. Denis earned his BM degree from California State University Northridge and his MFA degree from California Institute of the Arts, as well as studying at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen and later the Hochschule für Musik und Datsellende Kunst Mannheim. Dr. Jiron earned his DMA degree from Michigan State University as a University Distinguished Fellow. Currently, Dr. Jiron serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University in London, Canada.

Kyung Kim, piano

Critically acclaimed for her sensitive musicianship and musical versatility, pianist Kyung Kim has performed extensively across North America, Asia, and Europe including solo recitals in Carnegie Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul), Salzburg Mozarteum’s Großer Saal, and Franz Liszt Academy’s Grand Hall. An avid and versatile chamber musician, Dr. Kim has collaborated with members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK). Other concerts have included solo and chamber music performances for the Euro Music Festival, Niagara International Summer Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, International Bartok Seminar and Festival, Mozarteum International Summer Festival, the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota, Emory University Chamber Music Society, Antigonish Performing Arts Series at St. Francis Xavier University, Mount Allison University Performing Arts Series, Brandon University’s pro series, and the University of Winnipeg Virtuosi Series.

Praised for her “hypnotic” and “captivating” performances, concerto appearances have been with the Winnipeg Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Summer Orchestra, St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Quad-Cities Symphony (Iowa), and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have been featured on CBC Radio, Chicago’s Live from WFMT, Minnesota Public Radio, Korean Broadcasting System Radio, and Wisconsin Public Television and Radio.

Born into a musical family, Dr. Kim is a graduate of Seoul National University studying with Jinwoo Jung and holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied with the late Howard Karp.

Dr. Kim teaches at Euro Music Festival and Academy in summer and was also chamber music coach at the Green Lake Summer Music Festival and resident pianist and artistic advisor to the Brandon Chamber Players. A dedicated, passionate teacher, her prize-winning students recently made performing debuts at Royal Albert Hall, Kennedy Centre, Carnegie Hall, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Dr. Kim has conducted master classes throughout the U.S., Canada, South Korea, and China. She has served as judge for many competitions, including the Bader-Overton National Piano Competition (Canada), Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition, Enkor International Music Competition, and the International E-Piano Competition.

Currently Piano Division Coordinator and Associate Professor at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, Dr. Kim was formerly Chair of the Keyboard Division and Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, where she was also Founder and Director of the Minnesota International Piano Camp.