Jon Nakamatsu, a native Californian, claimed a distinguished place on the international music scene when he was named the Gold Medalist of the 1997 Van Cliburn Piano Competition, the only American to have achieved this distinction since 1981. A former high school German teacher, he became a popular hero. During the summer of 1997, Jon was invited to replace Vladimir Ashkenazy in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro as soloist with the Deutsches Symphony Orchestra Berlin, and performed at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops and the Montpellier Festival in France. Since then he has appeared as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and the New World Symphony as well as orchestras throughout the US and Europe. Summer 2004 included Jon’s return to Connecticut’s “Summer Music at Harness”, Colorado’s “Strings in the Mountains” and the Vail Valley music festivals. Highlights of the current season include the season opening concerts of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and performances with the Dayton Philharmonic. Summer 2006 includes Jon’s return to the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and a debut with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra. March 14, 2007 will be Jon’s Alice Tully Hall recital debut at New York City’s Lincoln Center.