MUSIC DIRECTOR

Jonathan Kessler is the Music Director of JourneySongs. Born in Burlington, MA, he started playing piano at age 6. As he grew older, he began playing piano and drum set for his church, and eventually had the opportunity to direct the choir at that church. He also began playing in and arranging for various orchestras in the Greater Boston area. It was around then that he knew he wanted to be a musician for his career. He attended Berklee College of Music and studied film scoring, contemporary composition, and music production. After graduating he continued building a business as a freelance musician: teaching private music lessons on various instruments, directing and accompanying musical theater, playing and recording with bands all over the country, and continuing to direct music in churches. He currently lives in Stoneham, Massachusetts with his dog Rusty. Jonathan brings a true sense of joy and love of music to JourneySongs!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads rehearsals twice per month on Sunday afternoons (3:30 - 5 p.m.) in Newton
- Ensures the learning and polishing of music
- Maintains a nurturing, supportive, and empathic learning environment with high musical expectations
- Shares strategies for singing without books, from heart not head
- In consultation with group members, curates repertoire to best meet the needs of patients, their families, and singers.
- Prepares key group members to lead memorial and bedside sings.
- Arranges for a substitute to cover rehearsal in event of absence.
- Directs substitutes regarding what to cover in a rehearsal.
- As available and interested, may leads bedside “sings” in a number of contexts: hospice facilities, private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and may create audio files for inclusion on the Website or use for learning parts.

In communication with the Steering Committee
- Explores ways, to expand JourneySongs’ reach (i.e, through recordings and a digital presence)
- Strategizes in the areas of membership, marketing, budget, and space needs