Dr. Jonathan Helmick

Dr. Jonathan Helmick serves as Director of Bands at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where he teaches courses in wind literature and conducts the Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band.
Prior to his appointment at UTRGV, Dr. Helmick served as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University. He joined the faculty in 2014 and directed the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, “Marching Pride,” and Concert Band. In addition to ensemble leadership, he taught courses such as Fundamentals of Conducting, Advanced Conducting, Low Brass Methods, High Brass Methods, Marching Band Techniques, Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques, and Applied Euphonium. Dr. Helmick’s work with the SRU Wind Ensemble led them to national recognition, including being named a finalist for The American Prize in Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Performance (college/university division). Under his direction, the SRU “Marching Pride” performed internationally at the 2019 Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival Parade and Limerick International Band Championship, where they earned Best Overall Band, Best Adult Band, and Best International Band, and at London’s 2024 New Year’s Day Parade.
Jonathan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi. He earned a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance, a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (with honors), and a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communications (with honors), all from The University of Akron. Prior to his appointment at Slippery Rock University, he taught in public schools in Ohio and Mississippi. Dr. Helmick also served as Assistant Conductor and member of the Board of Trustees for the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio and performed on euphonium and baritone with the Brass Band of the
Western Reserve.
Dr. Helmick remains active as a musician and educator. He has appeared as a guest clinician, artist, and adjudicator across the United States—including Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia—as well as internationally in Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, and Sicily. He was honored with the Slippery Rock University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018 and the Citation of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association in 2019. Nationally, he was recognized among the 2022 Yamaha “40 Under 40” and was named a quarterfinalist for the 2024 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum.