Jon Nakamatsu

Jon Nakamatsu is a Professor of Piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). He holds an MA and BA in German Studies and secondary education from Stanford University. A renowned pianist, he won the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and 1995 United States National Chopin Competition, becoming the first American Gold Medalist at Van Cliburn since 1981. His career spans performances with over 150 orchestras globally, including collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet and Tokyo String Quartet.

Education:

• MA, Stanford University
• BA, Stanford University

Research interests focus on piano performance, interpretation of classical repertoire (Bach, Mozart, Brahms), and pedagogy. He emphasizes technical mastery paired with introspective expression, as noted by The New York Times.

Notable achievements include 13 CDs on harmonia mundi usa, including acclaimed recordings of Gershwin, Brahms, and Schumann. He has performed at major venues like Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the Forbidden City Theatre in Beijing.

Awards include White House performances under President Clinton and features on CBS Sunday Morning. His teaching legacy includes prominent students like Minjun Dong (Sichuan Conservatory faculty) and Zach Weiner (Paris Competition winner).

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo and leads SFCM's piano department. Engages in arts administration and public speaking.