News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Jon Kalbfleisch Headshot

Jon Kalbfleisch

Get Jon Kalbfleisch Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Jon Kalbfleisch enjoys a multi-faceted musical life as a conductor, pianist, award-winning music director, freelance musician and organist. Having conducted ballet, opera, symphonic music, choral works, contemporary music and Broadway musicals, he has an interest in a wide range of musical styles. In Oklahoma, after five years as its music director and conductor, he has guided the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra to newfound heights both in terms of artistic success and community outreach. Symphony magazine recently highlighted the LPO’s Art Inspired by Music project; local students inspired by the music of Beethoven created some 4,000 original artworks. Previously, Jon was guest conductor for the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Pops at the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, and he conducted the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra at Quartz Mountain. Maestro Kalbfleisch also conducted the Louise D. McMahon International Piano Competition held at Cameron University, and the Bradetich International Double Bass Competition at the University of North Texas. Jon received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Cameron University, and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. While in Dallas as a student of Anshel Brusilow, Jon was Assistant Conductor of the SMU Symphony and Music Director of the Perspective Chamber Ensemble, pianist for the Dallas Ballet, and accompanist for the Dallas Opera.



Since relocating to the Washington DC area, Jon has been a 21-time nominee and five-time recipient of the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Direction. As resident music director of the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, he has conducted over 1000 performances of some thirty musicals including Sweeney Todd, Follies, A Little Night Music and 110 in the Shade. Nationally, Kalbfleisch was Associate Conductor for the touring company of Les Miserables, which included a stop on Broadway. He was Music Director for Putting it Together at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. On television, Jon has appeared conducting for Alan Jackson on Good Morning America. He can be heard on the 2009 Grammy-nominated recording of Bernstein’s Mass playing piano with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has also played and/ or conducted at Carnegie Hall, The White House, Wolf Trap (with the National Symphony Orchestra), The National Theatre, The Warner Theatre, The Smithsonian Institution, and The U.S. Supreme Court. As an accompanist, Jon has had the great pleasure of playing with artists such as David Kim, Frederica von Stade and Lynn Harrell.

Productions

 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Music Direction
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2017]
Musical Direction
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2015]
Musical Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2014]
Music Direction
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2009]
Musical Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2008]
Musical Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2007]
Musical Director
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2006]
Musical Coordinator
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2004]
Musical Director
 
[Los Angeles, 1998]
Musical Director
 
[Regional (US), 1997]
Musical Director
 
[Regional (US), 1996]
Musical Director
 
[Regional (US), 1992]
Musical Director

Awards and Nominations


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Musical Direction, HAYES Production

Jon KalbfleischSunday in the Park With George


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischGypsy

Helen Hayes Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischDreamgirls


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischHairspray

Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischSunset Boulevard


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischLes Misérables


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischMerrily We Roll Along

Helen Hayes Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischThe Witches of Eastwick

Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischAssassins

Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischCaroline, or Change


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischThe Highest Yellow

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischAllegro

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischElegies, A Song Cycle

Helen Hayes Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischFollies

Helen Hayes Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon Kalbfleisch11 In the Shade


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischGrand Hotel

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischPutting It Together

Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischSweeny Todd

Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischThe Fix

Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischA Little Night Music


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischSunday in the Park With George

Helen Hayes Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

Jon KalbfleischCabaret

Videos

News


Exclusive Photos: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Signature Theatre

Get an exclusive first look at photos of Signature Theatre's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Check out the photos here!
Exclusive Video: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Signature Theatre

Get an exclusive first look at Signature Theatre's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
Exclusive: 'Comedy Tonight' from Signature Theatre's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

Go inside rehearsals for Signature Theatre's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Watch the cast perform 'Comedy Tonight' in this exclusive video!
Cast and Creative Team Set for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the classic musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. See who is starring in the production and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: BROADWAY IN THE PARK at Wolf Trap

The intent of Wolf Trap’s annual “Broadway in the Park” event is to blend the star power of the Great White Way (if it’s still called that) with the rising stars of the local co-presenter, Signature Theatre.
Laura Benanti and Jordan Fisher Will Headline BROADWAY IN THE PARK

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts have announced the headliners for the fourth annual musical theater collaboration, Broadway In The Park.
Krysta Rodriguez & More to Perform at Signature Theatre Gala Honoring Nathan Lane

On April 29, 2024, Signature Theatre will honor icon of stage and screen Nathan Lane with the company’s thirteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!
Video: Bobby Smith Sings 'Gliding' From RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at Gliding, performed by Bobby Smith and Avery Laina Harris in Signature Theatre's production of Ragtime, on stage through January 7th, 2024 only.
Matthew Scott to Join RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

Matthew Scott (Broadway’s An American in Paris, Signature’s Company) will join the cast of Signature Theatre's Ragtime in the role of Father. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Exclusive: Watch Teal Wicks Sing 'Back to Before' in RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

Watch Teal Wicks sing 'Back to Before' in Ragtime at Signature Theatre.
Video: Watch Nkrumah Gatling Sing 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at 'Make Them Hear You' from Signature Theatre's production of Ragtime. Watch the video here!
Review: RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

A beautiful tapestry of interwoven stories, Signature's Ragtime takes the audience on a moving emotional journey that celebrates the indomitable spirit of people in search of The American Dream.
Exclusive Photos: Get A First Look At Signature Theatre's RAGTIME

Get a first look at photos of Ragtime at Signature Theatre.
Exclusive: Get A First Look At Signature Theatre's RAGTIME

Get an exclusive first look at Signature Theatre's production of Ragtime, now on stage through January 7th, 2024.
Exclusive: Cast of Signature Theatre's RAGTIME Performs Title Song

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first listen to the cast of Signature Theatre's Ragtime performing the show's incredible opening number.
Bill English, Nkrumah Gatling, Teal Wicks & More to Star in RAGTIME at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the epic musical Ragtime, with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
Review: BROADWAY IN THE PARK at Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap and Signature Theatre’s yearly collaboration continued this past weekend with the third edition of Broadway in The Park. A concert that is meant to showcase some of our best and brightest talent while also featuring two headliners from Broadway. The event is always a good time and this year’s edition was no exception.
Review: SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre? Set in the dark streets of London in 1785, we follow barber Sweeney Todd (Nathaniel Stampley) as he returns from wrongful imprisonment by the horrifying Judge Turpin (John Leslie Wolf).
Exclusive Photos: First Look at SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at photos of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!
Video: First Look at Nathaniel Stampley, Bryonha Marie & More in SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

Get a first look at footage of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Jon Kalbfleisch been nominated for?

Outstanding Musical Direction, HAYES Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sunday in the Park With George, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Dreamgirls, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hairspray , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sunset Boulevard, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Les Misérables , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Witches of Eastwick , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Assassins, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Caroline, or Change, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Highest Yellow, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Allegro, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Elegies, A Song Cycle, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Follies, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for 110 In the Shade, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Grand Hotel , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Putting It Together , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sweeny Todd , Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Fix, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for A Little Night Music, Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sunday in the Park With George and Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Cabaret.

What awards has Jon Kalbfleisch won?

Jon Kalbfleisch has won the following awards for Outstanding Musical Direction at the Helen Hayes Awards: - Sunday in the Park With George (HAYES Production) - Gypsy (Resident Production) - Hairspray (Resident Production) - Les Misérables (Resident Production) - Merrily We Roll Along (Resident Production) - The Highest Yellow (Resident Production) - Grand Hotel (Resident Production) - Sunday in the Park With George (Resident Production)

Get Jon Kalbfleisch Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos