Jason Bontrager is a seasoned performer and certified music educator with a Bachelors in Muisc Education and Graduate Certifaicate in Jazz Studies.  Starting with piano at the age of 6, Jason quickly developed a strong passion for music. He began playing trumpet in 6th grade and continued performing with Marching, Symphonic, Concert and Jazz band into his college years.  Jason was awarded the Polk State College Ambassador Scholarship, and was commissioned to perform at Polk State College Faculty events. He was awarded the Louie Armstrong Jazz Award from Jazz Director Roger Hewitt during his last year at Polk State College.

Jason earned his Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Florida (where he also made Dean’s List) with classical piano and marching band (trumpet) scholarships. During this time Jason performed at national and international events with the University of Florida Pep, Marching, and Jazz Bands.  He took the stage at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Tropicana field and in venuse in New York City, Nashville, and Atlanta. Notably in 2012, he performed at 11 events, including Buckingham Palace, Wellington Barracks, and Olympic Park (during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, UK)

Jason went on to receive Graduate Certificate in Jazz Studies from the University where the concentrated on Jazz Performance studying under Jazz Pianist Christ Rottmayer. There, he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant to undergraduate music courses including Jazz Ensemble and Jazz History.  Jason has also taught private piano, wind and brass lessons for over 20 years including his personal studio, as an instructor at Hoggtown Music in Gainesville, FL, as well as Fletchers Music Center in Winter Haven Fl.  At Fletchers Jason was also the store manager and a National Concert Artist, responsible for traveling and showcasing flagship instrument models around the country.  Jason has both public and private classroom experience as band director & general music teacher with with former positions held at Seffner Christian Academy, Howard Bishop Middle School in Gainesville, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, and Sante Fe High School in Gainesville, FL.

In addition to teaching, performing has always been a considerable part of Jason’s music career. He has played with groups including Phoenix 5, Charlie Morris Band, The Savants of Soul, Hot Tonic, The Gary Langford Big Band, University of Florida Big Band, and University of South Florida Jazz Ensembles, and performed with numerous jazz artists and professional musicians including Christopher Crenshaw (Jazz at the Lincoln Center), Terry Plumeri (Herbie Hancock), Marty Morell (Bill Evans), Gary Langford, James Suggs, Scott Wilson, and more. In addition, he’s served as pianist and music Coordinator for First  Cristian Church in Bartow, FL and pianist/keyboardist performing at local venues including the Hard Rack Casino Tampa, Walt Disney Resorts, Universal Studios City Walk, Riverwalk Tampa, and the Suwannee Music Festival.