George Jones

Hailing from Sitka, Alaska, George Jones discovered his love for the trombone early on, earning accolades in statewide to national ensembles. A product of the Sitka Jazz Festival and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, he developed a passion for teaching, performing, and community collaboration.

Trained formally at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he earned his Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of James DeSano from the Cleveland Orchestra and Lee Allen of the Tianjin Juilliard School, George's musical journey continued at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). There, guided by Timothy Higgins of the San Francisco Symphony, he received his Master of Music.

His commitment to education emerged at 16 when he directed a Small Ensembles class at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Throughout his career, George has taught and played across the country, actively engaging with communities in Sitka, AK, Redmond, OR, Oberlin, OH, San Francisco, CA and the greater Boston area of New England. Collaborating with the Community Music Center of Boston, he has developed music programs for schools in the greater Boston area, aiming to foster a love for music and create lasting connections. Since its inception in 2020, George has been a dedicated teacher at Virtu.Academy allowing him to have vast experience creating constructive lesson plans for all ages and skill levels entirely over video. 

After earning his degree at SFCM, George relocated to Boston, where his musical journey has included notable contributions to classical ensembles like the Portland Maine Symphony Orchestra and Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he delved into contemporary experiences, commissioning and premiering a solo trombone piece by Boston-based composer Garrett Rose. In the jazz scene, George played trombone in "Ain’t Misbehavin'" at the Central Square Theater and Greater Boston Stage Company which went on to earn the Elliot Norton Award for "Best Musical Production" among other accolades. This musical allowed him to share the stage with luminaries such as Greg Hopkins, Yoron Israel, and Ron Savage. This same production introduced him to the world of musicals and helped earn his current role as the trombone player for the Reagle Musical Theatre.

As a freelance musician and teacher in New England, George's story continues to unfold, driven by a deep passion for music and a belief in its transformative power within communities.