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Jonathan Snowden is one of Britain’s premier solo flautists and perhaps its best-kept secret. Mr. Snowden was named Principal Flute of the English National Opera North Orchestra at age 21. He was appointed to the same post with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and subsequently held the Principal Flautist position in the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra. His thrilling sound and technical virtuosity are admired here and abroad. Journalist Edward Greenfield has described Mr. Snowden in The Guardian as “one of the most brilliant flautists of his generation.”

Suzanne Fitzgerald described his teaching style in the British Flute Society’s magazine, Pan (December 2001), as “dynamic and inspirational, conducting the class with energy and sheer enthusiasm. Each student was encouraged to look deeper into themselves and their music, exploring the many possibilities of dynamic range and colour…Most of all, people came away feeling inspired, encouraged and fulfilled and surely that’s what music is all about.”

Mr. Snowden has established himself as an international artist of highest acclaim. His engagements have included concerto tours in Europe, the United States and Japan. He has been invited by Lorin Maazel to play with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and by Seiji Ozawa to play with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has performed as soloist with orchestras including The Royal Philharmonic, The London Philharmonic (Royal Festival Hall in London), the Bournemouth Symphony under Andrew Litton, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Malta Symphony and St. Louis Symphony.

He is also in much demand by composers to record their film scores. His recording list includes: Doomsday, Fool's Gold, The Great Debaters, Bee Movie, Stardust, 1408, Over the Hedge, Lord of the Rings, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Don Juan, Tomb Raider, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Antz, The Mummy, Bridget Jones Diary, The Mummy Returns, The Four Feathers, Gangs of New York, Gods and Generals and SpongeBob SquarePants. Mr. Snowden has regularly broadcasted on BBC Radio 3 and has made numerous television appearances.

Jonathan Snowden has recorded with artists as diverse as Bjork, Sting, and Martine McCutchion. He has done performance spots with Sir Cliff Richard, Elvis Costello and performed at Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding. A well-respected pedagogue, Mr. Snowden has been published in Pan (December 2001; May 2003) and Windplayer (Spring 2003). Powell Flute Company, Brannen-Cooper Brothers, and Muramatsu Flute Company have sponsored him as a guest artist for master classes. Mr. Snowden has held recitals and master classes in Japan, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Great Britain (Royal Northern College and Trinity College) and the United States.

Mr. Snowden was invited to perform and teach as part of the National Flute Association’s (NFA) annual convention held in Atlanta (1999), Las Vegas (2003) and Pittsburgh (2006). In support of proposals sent to the NFA, Dr. Brooks de Wetter-Smith, a J.G. Hanes Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stated, “His comments were insightful, supportive…everyone seemed to hang on to every word. His playing was wonderful…He brings solid orchestral and solo experience to his teaching.” He will appear, by invitation, at the 2008 British Flute Society's annual flute convention.

Mr. Snowden enjoys teaching and has a unique take on how performers can link emotion and communication to technique and interpretation. He has an extensive knowledge of solo repertoire, as well as the desire to improve anyone’s playing and performance abilities. The notion of taking risks and being a flexible flutist enables a more powerful conversation to exist between the soloist and supporting musicians as well as the music and the audience. He has served on the faculty of the Royal College of Music (London) and conducts an annual international summer flute course in the United States. He is currently on faculty at the London College of Music.

Jonathan Snowden can be heard (in a solo capacity) on Virgin, Virgin Classics, EMI, Silva, Teledisk, Conifer, Tring, and Hyperion recording labels. He has recently completed a recording of William Lloyd Webber’s works for flute.