Jon Mendle

Jon Mendle is a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Pre-College program, specializing in classical guitar, lute, and historical plucked instruments. His expertise bridges performance and historical authenticity, with affiliations to ensembles such as The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma and the San Francisco Guitar Quartet.

• PSC, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• MM, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• BM, San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Mendle’s research and performance interests center on classical guitar, lute repertoire, and historical interpretations of Renaissance and baroque plucked instruments. His work emphasizes the interplay between structured composition and improvisatory freedom, particularly in works by Bach, Dowland, and Weiss.

Jon Mendle’s awards include Second Prize in the 2021 Maurizio Pratola International Lute Competition and solo performances at Carnegie Hall and the 2014 Guitar Foundation of America Festival. His debut album L’infidele was praised by Soundboard magazine as a “beautiful disc.”

Mendle has performed with ensembles like The Silk Road Ensemble (2010), The Pacific Guitar Ensemble (2010–2013), and the San Francisco Guitar Quartet (2009–2014). Outside music, he enjoys fine whiskies, coffee, history, and boxing, and maintains a daily practice routine of 1–3 hours.