BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jonathan Helmick serves as Director of Bands at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he conducts the Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band and teaches courses in wind literature and graduate conducting. Since joining the UTRGV faculty in 2025, he has worked to expand artistic opportunities for students through innovative programming, recording projects, and collaborations with leading composers such as Julie Giroux, Erin Keeton Howard, T.O. Sterrett, and Katahj Copley.
From 2014 to 2025, Dr. Helmick served as the Director of Bands at Slippery Rock University. There, he led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, “Marching Pride,” and Concert Band while teaching courses such as Fundamentals of Conducting, Advanced Conducting, Low Brass Methods, High Brass Methods, Marching Band Techniques, Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques, and Applied Euphonium. His work at Slippery Rock emphasized student-centered artistry, community engagement, and the preparation of future music educators and performers.
Dr. Helmick’s work with the SRU Wind Ensemble led them to national recognition, including being named a finalist for The American Prize in Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Performance (college/university division) and performing at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference – a first in the university’s history. Under his direction, the SRU “Marching Pride” performed internationally at the 2019 Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival Parade and Limerick International Band Championship, where they earned Best Overall Band, Best Adult Band, and Best International Band, and at London’s 2024 New Year’s Day Parade.
Jonathan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi. He earned a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance, a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (with honors), and a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communications (with honors), all from The University of Akron. Prior to his appointment at Slippery Rock University, he taught in public schools in Ohio and Mississippi. Dr. Helmick also served as Assistant Conductor and member of the Board of Trustees for the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio and performed on euphonium and baritone with the Brass Band of the Western Reserve.
Dr. Helmick remains active as a musician and educator. He has appeared as a guest clinician, artist, and adjudicator across the United States—including Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia—as well as internationally in Argentina, Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, and Sicily. He was honored with the Slippery Rock University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018 and the Citation of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association in 2019. Nationally, he was recognized among the 2022 Yamaha “40 Under 40” and was named a quarterfinalist for the 2024 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum. Internationally, in 2026 he was honored with honorary membership by the Asociación de Directores de Bandas de la República Argentina.
