Jon Holden was honored to become a member of the UGC in 2006. Jon attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as an undergraduate before embarking on a transformative period of study in France with the renowned pianist Aldo Ciccolini. Throughout those years he spent summers at the Aspen Music Festival and toured in the Netherlands and France under the auspices of Festiv'Alps, performing with chamber ensembles and as soloist with orchestras.

Jon's proudest achievement is his extensive work with Francisco Nuñez and the New York Young People's Chorus. One highlight of many was the YPC commissioning program, Transient Glory, in which Jon accompanied the ensemble in more than 100 world premieres, in rehearsal, and as pianist for many of the premiere performances and recordings. In addition to his work with YPC, Jon has played for opera companies such as Encompass New Opera Theatre and Dicapo Opera Theatre, as well as musicals on Broadway. He recently co-developed and produced a new musical, Johnny Manhattan, which premiered at Meadow Brook Theatre in Michigan.

An authority on the music of Paul Bowles, he has performed the composer’s music extensively and is currently revising the opera Yerma.

Jon recently retired from New York University, after 30 years of service to the Steinhardt School Music Department. He taught applied piano, coached chamber ensembles, served as coordinator for the Keyboard Skills Program, as a committee member for masters theses and doctoral dissertations, as accompanist for the NYU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and as pianist for the NYU Orchestra.

Jon has degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (BM), Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (Diplome d’Execution), Yale University (MM), and New York University (Ph.D.). In addition to weekly rehearsals with the UGC, Jon continues to maintain a private piano studio, coach singers, and serve as musical director for theater productions. A passionate Francophile since childhood, he has a deep appreciation for European fine arts and culture.