MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Jon Schmidt was born to German Immigrant parents, who gave him the gift of early education in music. Classical training fell on the fertile ground of Jon’s natural talents for music and hard work. Schmidt began composing as early as age 11. He started teaching piano lessons when most people get a driver’s license and he began a successful solo career in his early twenties.

Schmidt worried about a career in music. He worried that his family would think that sheet music does not taste good with ranch dressing. So in college he studied English with plans to get an MBA. People kept pestering him over and over to play piano for them, which lead him to risk renting a large concert hall to present himself to the public. His audience loved him. He has never gone back to his English and business plans. His wife Michelle and their five children have never had to eat sheet music—even as a side dish.

Schmidt’s 20 year solo career has included many albums, performances, and awards. The Piano Guys entrapped Schmidt with their lair of beautiful pianos. Shortly thereafter, they all ran away together to create spectacular piano/cello video content. Their goal is humble—to inspire those that may listen.
Schmidt contributes not just to the on-screen piano talent, but he loves to throw out all of his ideas, and he is not afraid to edit and revise until he has a refined and quality product.

Jon finds his fire for the journey seeing the joy of people who hear great music. He is thrilled to reach a wider audience through his work with The Piano Guys.