My first musical influence was my father, James Light, who is a retired band director.  His intense love for this art inspired me to eventually pursue a career in music.  At age five, after encouragement and guidance from my parents, I started taking piano lessons.  I played for seven years, then moved to Paducah, Kentucky, where I stopped taking lessons when school began.  After joining the sixth grade band, I started playing the trumpet.  Through my developmental years of playing the trumpet, I studied under several distinguished trumpet teachers, such as Ronda King, Doug Van Fleet, John Sahlabach, Robert Murray and Eric Swisher.  During my junior and senior years in high school I participated in two  trumpet workshops at Murray State University.  I graduated from Lone Oak High School in 1999. Then came college. I moved to Murray to begin a degree in Music Education at Murray State University.

    While taking classes at Murray, I taught lessons at Music Zone, and privately for local schools systems.  During my college years, I joined the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha.  This is how I met several members of the band.  After moving in with Stephen, he asked me to join the group.  I have been a member of Murr-Vegas since 2002, and have loved every minute of it.  The band has been an influence on my professional career-  arranging horn licks, and  helping me get over my fear of playing in front of people.  Advancing my musical ability, practice, as well as shows every month gives me the opportunity to keep playing!  Creating life-long friends and working together to create a musical performance not to be missed is what I love about being in  Murr-Vegas All Stars.  

    I recently accepted the position of Middle School Director of Bands, as well as Assistant Director of Bands at Graves County High School.  Furthering my education, I am currently working on a Master in Educational Administration. 

(editor's note) Jonathan married his girlfriend, Kate Frioli on June 2, 2007 in Paducah Ky. They currently reside in Lone Oak, Ky. 

e-mail @  [email protected]

                                                                                                                                 back to bios