In 1999, Jon Nakamatsu played to a packed house in Downers Grove. After several ovations, he graciously met with audience members and signed programs at a reception after the concert.

On June 8, 1997, pianist Jon Nakamatsu was the Gold Medal winner of the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first American to have achieved this distinction since 1981.

Jon Nakamatsu's extensive recital tours throughout the United States and Europe have featured debuts in New York City (Carnegie Hall), Washington, DC (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), Boston, Chicago, Paris, London and Milan. He has worked with various chamber ensembles - among them the Brentano and Tokyo String Quartets - and was the recipient of the Steven De Groote Memorial Award for his semifinal round chamber music performances at the Cliburn competition. In July of 1999, Mr. Nakamatsu made his debut at France's famed Evian Music Festival.

He has studied piano privately with Marina Derryberry since the age of six, and has worked with Karl Ulrich Schnabel as well as having pursued extensive studies in chamber music and musicology. In addition, he studied composition and orchestration with Dr. Leonard Stein of the Schoenberg Institute at the University of Southern California. Mr. Nakamatsu is a graduate of Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in German studies and a master's degree in education.

Mr. Nakamatsu can be reached at http://www.stauber.com/nakamatsu/