Born in Gernika (Guernica) in the Basque Country, Jon Malaxetxebarria’s career as a conductor is now developing in both England and Spain, where he has conducted a variety of ensembles such as Manchester Camerata, Basque Country Symphony Orchestra, Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, Malaga Philharmonic, Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, and Nottingham Youth Orchestra.
In 2010, Jon won a scholarship from the Basque government to study orchestral conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester. Upon completion of his studies, Jon was awarded the Mortimer-Furber prize in Conducting and in 2011, was appointed as conductor of the Junior RNCM Brass Ensemble.
During his time at the RNCM, Jon conducted a wide-ranging repertoire, including pieces with the symphony and chamber orchestras, contemporary music groups, wind ensembles, and opera scenes. As a keen advocate of new music, Jon performed the world premiere of Simon Dobson’s Trombone Concerto with the RNCM Brass Band, broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
Jon was selected by the conductor George Hurst as a participant in his masterclases both at Canford School of Music and at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Jon was inspired by Hurst’s interpretations of the classic repertoire and has been greatly influenced by these experiences.
Jon’s musical education began in his native Gernika, and continued at the Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga Conservatoire in Bilbao. In 2006 he moved from his native Spain to study French Horn at Roosevelt University, Chicago with Dale Clevenger, Principal Horn of Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Part of his studies there were funded by the Bizkaia Council Culture Department. During this time, Jon began conducting student orchestras at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, premiering works by student composers, as well as presenting pieces from the received canon of musical works. He graduated with honours in 2010.
Jon Malaxetxebarria was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of Solihull Symphony Orchestra in June 2013.