Johnathan Couch
About
Johnathan Couch is a native of Central Florida. He grew up playing piano and cello and eventually studied organ performance and music composition at Florida State University. He enjoys teaching, conducting, performing, and composing music. From working with youth orchestras to playing for church services, he is constantly connecting with others through music.
Qualifications:
Studied piano for 17 years (elementary - university)
Studied cello for 12 years (elementary - university)
Studied organ for 6 years and earned a Bachelor's and Master's in Organ Performance
Studied composition for 5 years and earned a Bachelor's in Music Composition.
Taught piano and cello lessons for a total of three years
Teaching Style
I have a teaching style that focuses on developing a healthy relationship between the student and teacher leading to the student developing educational goals which the teacher helps guide them toward. I view education as a journey that never ends because when one goal is met, more become possible. I enjoy getting to know students and letting them determine what they want out of their music lessons. If I can help then to achieve their goals and get value out of their time, that's a win for me.
Credentials & Affiliations
Master of Music (Organ Performance), Florida State University
Bachelor of Music (Organ Performance), Florida State University
Bachelor of Music (Composition), Florida State University
Work
Since 2021 – Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church (Monticello, FL)
Summer of 2021 – Organist for Centenary United Methodist Church (Quincy, FL)
2017 through 2018 – Cello and Piano Teacher, First Baptist School of Music (Ocala, FL)
Outreach (volunteer positions and experiences)
Since 2022 – Assistant Conductor, Ocala Youth Symphony (Ocala, FL)
Spring of 2022 – Music Teacher, Ocala Adventist Academy (Ocala, FL)
Since 2021 – Director, Church Choir (Ocala Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ocala, FL)
Since 2014 – Pianist/Organist, Ocala Seventh-day Adventist Church (Ocala, FL)
2014 through 2019 – Director, Ocala Seventh-day Adventist Church Orchestra (Ocala, FL)
Education
Florida State University
2018 through 2022 – Bachelor of Music in Performance (Organ)
2018 through 2022 – Bachelor of Music in Composition
2022 through 2024 – Master of Music in Performance (Organ)
Workshops
2019 – Conductors Institute of South Carolina (Associate)
- Conducted string, chamber, and full orchestra in morning workshop sessions for live feedback from the workshop faculty
- Conducted Movement 3 from Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in concert
2020 – Conductors Institute of South Carolina Virtual (Fellow)
- Participated in a Zoom meeting format of the workshop in which participants practiced conducting repertoire along with recordings for live feedback from the workshop faculty
2021 – Conductors Institute of South Carolina (Fellow)
- Conducted string, chamber, and full orchestra in morning workshop sessions for live feedback from the workshop faculty
- Conducted Movements 3 and 4 from Prokofiev Symphony No. 1, “Classical” in concert