Jonathan Taylor Rush

Jonathan Taylor Rush brings passion, unique interpretation, and a refreshing energy to the orchestral experience. Rooted in his musical upbringing within the church, Rush’s approach to conducting is imbued with elements of gospel and soul music.

Previous conducting highlights include performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera, among others. 

Rush is deeply committed to the music of both historical and contemporary Black composers, from William Grant Still and Florence Price to Jessie Montgomery and James Lee III. Rush also welcomes creative powerhouses from other genres to the orchestral stage, working with the likes of Jon Batiste, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ledisi, and Karen Clark Sheard. 

Rush served as associate conductor the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2020 to 2023. In this role, he curated the orchestra’s inaugural Gospel Fest and also served as artistic director of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras, leading the ensemble on its first-ever international tour through Europe. 

Recording highlights include the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s brea(d)th with the Minnesota Orchestra, released on Decca Classics in 2023. He also conducted the recording of Simon’s Monuments, released in January 2026 as an installation throughout Washington, DC, as led the Louisiana Philharmonic on Big Freedia’s album Live at the Orpheum Theatre, released in 2024. 

Rush’s academic accomplishments include a bachelor’s in music education from The Ohio State University and a master’s in orchestral conducting from the Peabody Institute. His mentors and teachers of conducting include Joseph Young, Mei-Ann Chen, and Marin Alsop.