Jonathan Bhatia is the Lecturer of Music in Trumpet at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music, a founding member of the internationally recognized chamber ensemble Alias Brass, the Second Trumpet of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, and a Yamaha Performing Artist. He has performed at prestigious venues worldwide and earned recognition as a prizewinner at the 2009 International Prize Competition in Tuscany, Italy. Jonathan has appeared as a featured artist, soloist, or presenter at multiple International Trumpet Guild Conferences, including Salt Lake City, UT (2024), Anaheim, CA (2023), and Hershey, PA (2017).
In addition to these positions and accolades, Jonathan has performed with such nationally reputable ensembles as the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Boston Brass, Classical Tahoe Orchestra, All-Star Brass, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Los Angeles Modern Brass Quintet, Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Santa Monica, Symphony of Southeast Texas, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Prior to receiving tenure as the Second Trumpet with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Jonathan held tenured positions with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, as their tenured Principal Trumpet, and the American Youth Symphony. As a recording artist, Jonathan is regularly featured on National Public Radio with Alias Brass, and can be heard playing on various films and albums including the animated feature film Duck Duck Goose, Jens Lindemann’s album Northern Lights, the Sierra Brass Quintet album, and others.
As a founding member of the Alias Brass, an internationally recognized brass chamber ensemble, Jonathan can be found making numerous performance and masterclass appearances both nationally and internationally. Jonathan can be heard on Alias Brass’ album Prism, which was recently selected to be put forward for Grammy consideration by Parma Records and was praised by the International Trumpet Guild Journal as an album that “deserves to be in the upper echelon of brass quintet discography”. As part of their educational mission, the Alias Brass regularly presents masterclasses and educational seminars for audiences of all ages in order to promote the instrumental art form and inspire creativity in the next generation of musicians and music appreciators.
As a college professor, Jonathan educates undergraduate and graduate trumpet students in music performance and music education through weekly applied lessons, studio classes, and chamber ensembles. At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music, he has strengthened the national reputation of the trumpet studio, with his students earning invitations to compete in the live rounds of the prestigious National Trumpet Competition in both the solo and small ensemble divisions, the national finals of the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Brass Solo Competition, and performances at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Additionally, Jonathan’s students hold academic appointments across the nation in professional orchestras and academic institutions.
Jonathan Bhatia holds two degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied with Jens Lindemann and Tom Hooten. Additional mentors include Mark Hughes, Rob Roy McGregor, and Darren Mulder.