Discover Delmarva Arts: A musical prodigy

SALISBURY, Md. – Inside of Fulton Hall room 122 at Salisbury University, musical magic is made. But the artist isn’t a veteran violinist, he’s 14-year-old Jonathan Zapuche.

His journey with the violin started when he was just an adolescent.

“My parents are always reminding me when I started to talk, I always said I wanted to learn an instrument, and specifically, the violin. No trumpet, no trombone, no cello, no nothing. Violin,” Jonathan, said.

In some of his earlier years playing the instrument, Jonathan vividly remembers learning the basics.

“I was playing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ for two years before I started on something else, so I guess that was what was very frustrating for me,” he said.

But the B-League music didn’t last long for the musical prodigy. He received his first violin lesson at SU’s Presto Program and soon was good enough to play with the veterans.

“I played in Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with Gustavo Dudamel, a renowned artistic music director; that was an amazing experience,” Jonathan said. “I’ve played around the country; I’ve played in Colorado; I’ve played in New York.”

His talents took him to the Great Hall at SU where he recently performed for a crowd of 160. What’s next for Jonathan? He has big plans of playing alongside some of the best, right in Salisbury.

“The next goal is to perform with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra as a soloist, not only for my benefit, but also to be able to attract new audiences, such as young people who are wanting to learn,” Jonathan said.