Jonathan Wade

A native of Ottawa, Jonathan Wade received a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion from the University of Ottawa, studying with Ian Bernard and Pierre Béluse. He went on to obtain a D.E.S.S in timpani repertoire from the University of Montreal with Louis Charbonneau.

Jonathan has been a percussionist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra since 1982. He also performs with many fine ensembles, including the Canadian National Brass Project, Capital Brassworks and the Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra. 

He has performed at major festivals, including the Festival de Lanaudière, Festival of the Sound, the Toronto Summer Music Festival, Music and Beyond, and Ottawa Chamberfest. 

Jonathan also enjoys teaching. From 2002 to 2023, he was an adjunct professor of timpani and percussion at the University of Ottawa. In addition to his private studio, he was the percussion instructor at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy from 1986 to 2009. 

Jonathan is very active with the NAC Orchestra’s learning and community engagement initiatives, having presented hundreds of concerts in schools with the percussion duo Bangers and Smash and as a drummer with Ragtime Brass.