VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS FOR THE ARTS

What They Do

The Volunteer Musicians for the Arts (VMA) offers classically trained young musicians (Junior Program) and career performers (Adult Program) across the country, meaningful, life-giving educational and outreach performance opportunities.  Partnered with Americorps, we are committed to conferring the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Junior Program members who complete our innovative Leadership Initiative. 

About Jonathan Yasuda, Founder & Director

Jonathan Yasuda was born in Boston, Massachusetts and began studying piano at the age of five.  As a student of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, he earned first-place awards and departmental distinctions in Music Theory, Chamber Music, and Piano Performance.

Jonathan graduated with honors from the College of the Holy Cross and received the full tuition, merit-based presidential Rev. John E. Brooks S.J. scholarship, majoring in Music with a minor in Economics-Accounting and a Pre-Law concentration.  Throughout college he concurrently studied advanced theory and piano performance at the New England Conservatory with Rodney Lister and Jonathan Bass.  Notable private master class teachers include Gunther Schuller, Robert Levin, and Daniel Pinkham, among others. Jonathan also served as special assistant to pianist Emmanuel Ax and The King's Singers.

Post college, Jonathan was a founding performing member of the Worcester Chamber Music Society non-profit organization, and in 2012, established the Boston-based Volunteer Musicians for the Arts, Inc.  With extensive Juris Doctorate studies at New England Law Boston, diverse law firm experience from Boston to Manhattan, and a Berklee College of Music General Music Studies Certificate, Jonathan ultimately strives to make music accessible, and fun, for all.  He received national recognition from the National Jurist Magazine for his dedication to the arts.

Jonathan currently serves as piano faculty at the College of the Holy Cross, Assumption College, and Worcester State University.  He is a member of the New England Piano Teachers Association and adjudicated for the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association 2024 Judged Festival.  As a private event pianist crossing beyond the classical genre, he has worked for notable clients such as General Electric, Natixis Global Asset Management, CB Richard Ellis, Taj Hotel, Boston Harbor Hotel, Omni Parker House, among others.  

Outside of the realm of music, Jonathan is an elected corporation member of the country’s oldest community sailing program, Community Boating Inc (CBI), located in the heart of Boston.  With his professional experience as a Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine Officer, Dockmaster, and sailing instructor, Jonathan helps keep the organization sailing true to its mission of sailing for all.