Jason Thompson is a dynamic and engaging conductor whose diverse passions include early music, orchestral masterworks and symphonic pops. He was recently appointed principal conductor and artistic director of the Symphony of the Lakes in Winona Lake, Indiana. He is professor of music at Indiana Wesleyan University where he has been on faculty since 2006. At IWU, he conducts the orchestra, opera theatre, and early music ensemble; he also teaches violin, viola, and music history. Jason is passionate about educating the next generation of music enthusiasts, conducting a yearly collaboration between the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra and the IWU and Taylor orchestras, bringing orchestral music to children in Grant County, Indiana. He is a highly sought-after guest conductor, and has conducted the Bach Collegium Fort Wayne, Elkhart County Symphony, the Opera Maya International Festival Orchestra, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players. In 2000, Jason founded the Guilford Town Band in Guilford, Connecticut, a semi-professional wind ensemble that he directed until 2007. He also founded and directed the Redeemer Consort from 2004–2020.

Jason is highly active as a presenter at state and national conferences on a wide range of topics. In 2016, he had the honor of conducting Leanna Kirchoff’s The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret at the National Opera Association Convention. His Indiana Wesleyan University Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2018 Indiana Music Educators Association State Conference. In 2019, Jason was selected as the opening plenary presenter at the College Orchestra Directors Association’s National Conference. Most recently, he presented at the 2020 American String Teachers Association National Conference.

As a Baroque violinist, Jason has performed regularly with the Bach Collegium Fort Wayne, the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Bourbon Baroque, La Réunion Musicale, and New Comma Baroque. On modern violin, he served as concertmaster of the Marion Philharmonic from 2015–2017 and has performed with professional orchestras throughout the Midwest. In 2011, he had the privilege of touring with Soprani Compagni culminating in a performance in Carnegie Hall.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Violin Performance and Conducting from Indiana University, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and a Doctor of Music in Early Music Ensemble Direction from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.