Will Bonness

Will Bonness is an Associate Professor at the Desautels Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba. He serves as Area Head of Jazz and teaches courses in jazz theory, jazz musicianship, and jazz piano while also coaching small jazz ensembles. His academic work is deeply informed by extensive performance experience with world-class jazz artists and institutions like the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.

• Education: BMus (University of Manitoba), MMus (Southern Utah University)

Bonness' research focuses on jazz pedagogy, emphasizing fundamental piano techniques, harmonic theory, voicings, linear concepts, sight-reading, and customized learning approaches. His creative practice includes collaborative recordings with artists such as Erin Propp and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, as well as three acclaimed solo albums: 'Subtle Fire' (2009), 'Halcyon' (2016), and 'Change of Plans' (2020).

• JUNO Award Winner (2022)
• Western Canadian Music Award Winner

As an ensemble coach and educator, Bonness combines performance expertise with structured pedagogical systems developed through decades of teaching diverse student populations. He maintains an active performance schedule across Canada and the United States while continuing his academic contributions to jazz education.