Faculty Category: String Faculty

Jonathan Goren received his D.M.A. from Catholic University of America, where he studied with Jody Gatwood. Before that, he studied with Wanchi Huang at James Madison University, where he earned a Bachelor and a Master of Music, in violin performance.

Even as a student, Dr. Goren taught private violin lessons to students of all ages.  In addition, he won a coveted graduate assistantship in the Theory Department of CUA, working in that capacity for 5 years. He was a teaching fellow at the Interlochen Arts Camp. As a teacher, Dr. Goren draws on this fund of experience to adapt his approach to fit the student’s learning style and overall personality.  He is aware that each person processes information differently, and tailors his delivery to maximize the student’s potential. Pedagogically, his step-by-step method lays a firm foundation to help the student reach their goals.

Dr. Goren was a participant at the Brevard Music Center, the Heifetz International Music Institute, and the BayView Music Festival. Other distinctions include membership in the National Honor Society, the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, and the Baltimore Music Teachers Association.

A versatile soloist, ensemble performer and chamber musician, Dr. Goren has played in musicals,  including Fiddler on the Roof, with various theater and ensemble groups since 2016.He has also served as concertmaster with the Baltimore Actor’s Theatre in their annual production of Babes in Toyland from 2012-2018. In 2015-2016, Jonathan\ subbed with the Frostburg Symphony Orchestra and Symphony No. 1.  He currently serves as concertmaster for the Baltimore Philharmonic Orchestra.

Isaiah Thomas holds an M.M. in Violin Performance and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Viola Performance from Towson University, studying primarily with Dr. Jeffrey Howard and Dr. Nina Kiken respectively.

While at Towson, Isaiah performed in the University Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Christopher Cicconi and Dr. Joseph Gotoff, serving as their concertmaster from 2024 to 2025. As part of his studies in chamber music, he also studied under Dr. Emmanuel Borowski and Dr. Joseph Gotoff as a violist. Mr. Thomas was awarded a graduate assistantship in Music Technology and a teaching assistantship for Music Theory for his graduate studies.

Mr. Thomas has performed as a violinist for productions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Hello Dolly,” and is in demand as an interpreter of new music. He has also participated in the National Music Festival at Chestertown, MD every summer since 2023, as well as Brevard Music Center in the summer of 2024. Other distinctions include the National Honor Society, the IB Diploma Programme, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha.

Isaiah’s goal in teaching is to help students to achieve their goals and to become versatile musicians. One way he achieves this is by blending the interests of the student with the repertoire idiomatic to the violin and viola. His experience teaching both young and old suits him for students of all ages. In addition, he is prepared to cater to students of all musical backgrounds, with a repertoire that ranges from Bach to Elvis. Outside of music, Isaiah enjoys the occasional video game, going for walks, and reading.