Prior to joining SOUNZ in March 2018, Jonathan worked as Orchestra Coordinator for the NZSO. In the late 2000s Jonathan entered the field of Arts Administration, and for eight years served as Associate Director of Admission at Mannes School of Music in New York. A native New Zealander, Jonathan's most formative years were spent in New York City where he earned a BM, MM and Professional Studies Diploma in Flute from Mannes School of Music and enjoyed an active freelance career within New York’s vibrant new music scene. He served as a founding member of several groups including Mimesis Ensemble and the Chamber Orchestra of New York and worked closely with a number of eminent composers including Gunther Schuller and Kaija Saariaho.
In our "Meet the team' series we invite you to sit down and learn more about each SOUNZ staff member. First up is Jonathan Engle our Music and Services Adviser | Kaitohu Puoro, Ratonga.
Can you tell us a bit about your family, where you're from etc?
My mum is a New Zealander and my father is from Kansas. I have a brother and sister who were both born in the States and we’re now quite spread out across the globe! I don’t have any kids, but I do have nephews and nieces, as well as an adorable cat named Charlie.
Where did you grow up? Where else have you lived?
My dad’s job kept us moving every few years. I was born in Tauranga but moved to Auckland as a young child. At 8, I moved to Texas, at 14, to Minnesota, at 19, to NYC and at 34, back to New Zealand. I’m not exactly sure where to call home! I now live on the Kāpiti Coast.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When I’m not working I’m usually searching for ways to decompress - listening to music, taking long walks, reading, eating brunch, spending time with friends or enjoying a bit of solitude.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My parents played records and CDs constantly while I was growing up. They had eclectic taste but it was the handful of classical albums that really stood out to me.
How do you maintain work/life balance?
I commute four hours each weekday, so this is tricky. But I love my job and I don’t worry about it too much!
Where would you like to go on vacation if you had a month off and money was no object?
I would book a cabin in the woods or on a secluded beach, turn off my phone and spend a month doing whatever I felt like doing in the moment. That’s freedom!
If you could be any animal, which would you be?
Definitely a cat. I’m actually part cat already.
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
For some reason Black Mirror wasn’t even on my radar, so I’m now catching up on Seasons 1 – 5. It really resonates with me!
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?
I could probably think of all sorts of better ways to answer this question, but I’d rather say “my cat”. What would make me purr? And what’s so great about those bickies? Also, nightvision!
Meet Charlie the cat