When people ask me what my husband Jonathan Patterson does for a living, I never really know what to tell them other than A LOT. Sometimes it’s easier to just say, “he’s a teacher” or “he’s an actor,” depending upon the context, but the truth is, he does so many things (and all of them very well, I might add!).
As an educator, Jonathan has worked at The Schulich School of Music since 2010 teaching acting and dance to opera students. He recently started a new job as Head of Music at the National Theatre School of Canada and has a very active private voice studio at home as well. No matter the teaching context, Jonathan takes great pride in seeing his students succeed, improve, and become more confident people.
Jonathan also works regularly in theatre—both on stage and off—as an actor, director, choreographer, dancer, singer, and even, on occasion, as a music director (and I believe he has stage managed once or twice too…). I think the fact that he understands so many facets of putting on a show allows him to be even better at whatever specific theatre job he’s doing at the time.
If that wasn’t enough, he also occasionally works as an event planner and as a music director for live streams of orchestral concerts at the NAC and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. And on top of all that, he’s a wonderful baker, a huge nerd, a loyal friend, fiercely competitive at board games, has great hair, an exercise/fitness fiend, and an amazing and supportive husband! Maybe the next time someone asks me what Jonathan does, I’ll just send him a link to this article…
-Written by Chris Barillaro, Jonathan’s husband
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Which ’hood are you in?
I have lived in Pointe Saint Charles since 2010 but will be moving to Verdun this summer.
What do you do?
This is always a complicated question, but I think Chris laid it out perfectly in his bio above. I am a theatre artist and arts educator. I love what I do. I love inspiring and teaching the next generation of performing artists and learning from them at the same time.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a few projects: I am the choreographer for the award-winning Lyric Theatre Singers, I am preparing for a concert this August with long-time collaborators Chris Barillaro and Lisa Forget, and this Fall will be appearing in the Segal Centre’s production of Beautiful: the Carole King Musical and then reprising that role with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in January 2024.
Where can we find your work?
As a theatre artist, you can find me around Montreal doing workshops and readings of new works, directing/choreographing for local groups and schools, or across the country, appearing in musicals, plays & concerts. Feel free to check me out on Instagram to see what new and exciting projects are coming up next.
