Jonathan Woodhouse was born in Brighton. He started learning the flute aged eight and shortly afterwards joined St Peter's Church Choir in Brighton as a treble before changing to countertenor when his voice changed. As a flautist he enjoyed much success, achieving a distinction for his grade eight examination at the age of fifteen and performing as a member of Brighton Youth Orchestra for five years. He became section leader of the orchestra in his final year and achieved an ATCL performance diploma from Trinity College in London before his degree studies.

 

In 2005 he moved to Cardiff to read music at Cardiff University which he graduated from with upper second class honours. He sang as a Countertenor Choral Scholar in Llandaff Cathedral Choir for the duration of his degree studies and also sang in ensembles including Cardiff University Chamber Choir and Cardiff Cantors. Alongside his academic studies, he enjoyed opportunities to perform, receiving commendable marks for his final year recital on the flute and featuring in the vocal ensemble that achieved the highest mark in the ensemble performance module in his year group. In his final year he carried out extensive research on William Byrd's 'Great Service' as part of his dissertation and growing interest in choral music.

 

Following graduation, Jonathan moved to Wells to take up a position as Choral Scholar in Wells Cathedral Choir and as Graduate Music Assistant in the specialist music department of Wells Cathedral School. As a member of the Cathedral Choir he sang on two of the choir's critically acclaimed recordings on the Hyperion record label and featured on radio broadcasts and international tours. At Wells Cathedral School he was responsible for theory teaching, aural training and practice supervision for the specialist musicians studying at the school.

 

Following two years in Wells, Jonathan was appointed as Lay Clerk in Worcester Cathedral Choir in 2011 and has featured with the choir on several broadcasts, recordings, in addition to the annual Three Choirs Festival. He has enjoyed a variety of professional engagements as a consort singer with ensembles including Armonico Consort and Elgar Voices and his solo work has included performances of Bach St John Passion, Bach Magnificat, Handel Messiah and Pergolesi Stabat Mater. In addition to his performing, he has built up an impressive teaching practice and is in demand as both a flute and singing teacher in Worcester and across the West Midlands region. He currently teaches at the Elgar School of Music, King's Hawford School, Bredon School and with Birmingham Music Service.