JONATHAN OSHRY - BIOGRAPHY

Born in Durban, South Africa in 1975, Jonathan Oshry began his music studies aged 10 with Janet Rubin and continued thereafter at the University of Natal under Isabella Stengel, graduating in 1996 with a BMus degree Summa Cum Laude. He entered the Royal Northern College of Music in 1997 to study under Ronan O'Hora where he obtained a postgraduate diploma, a Masters’ degree with distinction, and the Professional Performance Diploma. He rounded off his music education with a second Masters’ degree with distinction from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Jonathan has won numerous scholarships including two SAMRO bursaries for undergraduate study, the PJ Lemmer Music Scholarship, the Du Toit van Tonder Music Scholarship, an Associated Board Music Scholarship for postgraduate study at the RNCM, the Jim Joel Music Scholarship as well as a scholarship from the Marc Raubenheimer Trust. He was also a recipient of a major scholarship award from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and was a Wingate Scholar in 2000.

Jonathan’s numerous prizes in South African competitions include first prize in the 1995 Oude Meester Music Competition, first prize (piano and overall categories) in the 1996 ATKV Forte Competition, third prize in the 1996 Adolph Hallis Competition and second prize in the 1998 UNISA National Piano Competition. Prizes in UK and international competitions include second prize in the 2001 Karic International Piano Competition, first prize in the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Competition, as well as the Spencer Boney prize and the Sheriff’s prize at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was an overseas finalist in the 2003 Royal Overseas-League Music Competition where he received the Philip Crawshaw Memorial Prize and twice a finalist in the 2001 and 2003 Dudley Piano Competitions.

Jonathan has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Bela Siki, Andrzej Jasinski, Peter Donohoe, Pascal Roge, Tamas Vasary, Howard Shelley, Imogen Cooper, Barry Douglas and Angela Hewitt. His performances in England, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and South Africa include venues such as Wigmore Hall and St John’s Smith Square in London, the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, the Nico Malan Theatre in Cape Town and the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris. In addition to many performances with British concert societies over the past few years, Jonathan performs regularly as soloist with the major South African Orchestras, having worked with such conductors as Sidney Harth, En Shao, Paul Mann and David Tidboald. His recordings are broadcast frequently on South African radio and BBC Radio 3.

As a result of his interest in business and finance, Jonathan completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree through the University of South Africa in February 2000.

Home | At a glance | Biography | CV | Photo gallery
Past engagements | Future engagements |Book concert
Solo piano | Piano concerti | Chamber
Newspaper reviews | References
Solo piano recordings | Piano concerti recordings
Contact