Glenn Gould School appoints violinist Jonathan Crow to lead orchestral training

Jonathan Crow joins Glenn Gould School as director of orchestral program

The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School (GGS) in Toronto has announced the appointment of violinist Jonathan Crow as director of its newly created Temerty Orchestral Program. He will also join the violin faculty beginning in September 2026.

With an international career as both performer and educator, Crow’s appointment brings a new chapter to the school’s orchestral training, which is widely regarded as one of the strongest in North America.

Leading a new orchestral vision

In his new role, Crow will oversee the orchestral curriculum, work closely with students, and select guest conductors for the Royal Conservatory Orchestra (RCO). The ensemble, which performs regularly at Koerner Hall, is considered a cornerstone of the GGS experience.

Crow will also continue his teaching as a mentor in a limited violin and chamber music studio, guiding young musicians as they prepare for professional careers.

“This role allows me to bring together my passion for performing and teaching,” said Crow. “I’m honoured to work with the extraordinary young musicians who come from around the world to study at The Glenn Gould School.”

A career of firsts

A native of Prince George, B.C., Crow has long been recognized as one of Canada’s leading violinists. In 2002, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest concertmaster of a major North American orchestra when he joined the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM). He has served as concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) since 2011, a position he continues to hold.

Over the years, Crow has appeared as a soloist and guest concertmaster with a wide range of ensembles, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Filarmonia de Lanaudière, and Brazil’s Pernambuco Festival Orchestra. He has also worked under the direction of many celebrated conductors, from Charles Dutoit and Sir Andrew Davis to Kent Nagano and Peter Oundjian.

An educator and mentor

Alongside his performance career, Crow has built a reputation as a dedicated teacher. After completing his studies at McGill University, he returned in 2005 to join the faculty at the Schulich School of Music, where he became associate professor of violin in 2010. Today, he holds the same position at the University of Toronto.

He has also played a significant role in Canada’s chamber music scene. As co-founder of the JUNO Award–winning New Orford String Quartet, Crow has toured internationally and contributed to a growing body of acclaimed recordings. From 2016 to 2025, he served as artistic director of Toronto Summer Music, expanding the festival’s reach and programming.

His relationship with the Royal Conservatory is equally longstanding. Crow previously taught at the Taylor Academy for Young Artists, the Conservatory’s program for exceptional pre-college students. His return to the institution in this new leadership role strengthens that connection even further.

A personal connection to the Conservatory

Crow’s ties to the Royal Conservatory go back to his childhood in northern British Columbia, where he took RCM exams as a young student. That early connection, he says, makes this appointment particularly meaningful.

“I’ve had a special connection with The Royal Conservatory since childhood, and I’ve been privileged to perform often in Koerner Hall—one of the world’s great concert venues,” Crow said. “Joining the GGS faculty feels like coming full circle.”

The announcement was warmly received by the Glenn Gould School community. GGS president and CEO Alexander Brose praised Crow’s artistry, leadership, and commitment to teaching.

“Jonathan is a highly respected artist, known leader, and accomplished pedagogue whose connection to the RCM will only deepen with this exciting appointment,” said Brose. “His consistent presence among our students and administration, coupled with his expertise and mentorship, will be an enormous source of inspiration. We are so excited to welcome him to our community.”

Shaping the future of orchestral training

With his dual background as performer and educator, Crow is well positioned to guide the next generation of orchestral musicians. His leadership of the Temerty Orchestral Program promises to further elevate the Glenn Gould School’s reputation as one of the leading music institutions in North America.

For Crow, it marks the continuation of a lifelong commitment to both performance and teaching—a combination that has defined his career and will now inspire a new wave of musicians at GGS.