Jonathan Zapuche.

A LIFE IN MUSIC

Among Jonathan Zapuche’s first full sentences were the words, “I want to play violin.” Although his parents did not have a musical background, that early wish became a lifelong passion. Now 16, the Salisbury, Maryland violinist brings that same curiosity and dedication to every performance.

Jonathan attended preschool at Wor-Wic Community College and has been homeschooled since. He began violin lessons at age four and joined the Salisbury Middle Orchestra at Salisbury University at six. He is co-concertmaster of the Peabody Youth Orchestra at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

In the 2022–2023 school year, Jonathan began studying chamber music at the Music School of Delaware. With his chamber trio, he earned the Super Bronze Award at the 2023 Golden Key Festival and third place at the 2023 Bösendorfer Youth Music Festival of the German Society of Pennsylvania.

Jonathan won first place in the 13–14 age division of the 2023 Little Mozart International Competition, earning an opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He also received second-place awards in the London International Music Competition and the Manhattan International Music Competition.

Jonathan won 1st prize in the Delaware Concerto Competition for Young Musicians, awarding him the opportunity to perform as a solo violinist with the Wilmington Community Orchestra.

In 2024, Jonathan performed with artists including Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Concert Hall and Stefan Jackiw. He also performed for violinists Alex Gonzalez, Andrea Segar, and Rainel Joubert.

His performances have taken him to Salisbury University, the Music School of Delaware, the Peabody Institute, and Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Closer to home, he has appeared at the 2022 National Folk Festival, 2023 Chamber Music by the Sea, 2024 Maryland Folk Festival, 2025 Peter and Judy Jackson Chamber Series, and Ballet on the Beach in both 2025 and 2026.