by Emma Shuster ‘18

After working at Sherwood from 2002-2005, music teacher Johnathan Dunn has returned after most recently working at Northwood. As soon as he saw a job opening up at Sherwood, Dunn could not resist jumping at the chance.

“I saw this as an opportunity to reconnect with a community that had been so good to me. Students who truly were passionate about music, passionate about life. They’re really looking to apply their knowledge, their experience, and their encounter with music in a real-time situation, such as Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival and other aspects of choral music,” said Dunn.

During Dunn’s first tenure at Sherwood, he created a choral group called Umojo, which means unity in Swahili. The group met during lunch and sang contemporary gospel songs. Dunn plans to diversify musical experiences and opportunities at the school. To better reflect the ethnicities and backgrounds of its student body. Dunn wants to add onto existing groups such as the Sweet Adelines and Barbershop Quartets to ensure that every student is heard, literally.

Dunn has kept busy over the years. After his departure from Sherwood, he served as Artistic Director for the Washington Youth Choir, an after-school program for at-risk kids in Washington, D.C. One year later, he came back into Montgomery County, working at Key Middle School in Silver Spring for one year before making his way to Blake. There, he taught Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Choir, and an original ensemble known as the Revelations, which was a multicultural gospel choir. He also taught piano and musical theatre as well as participating in all of Blake’s theatre productions.

During this time, while raising a family of four children, he also worked as a Minister of Music at a Baptist church in Washington, D.C. There, Dunn performed executive leadership, with many roles ranging from liturgical dances to monitoring the ushers and all aspects of the music program. Following his time at the Baptist church, Dunn transitioned to Northwood. Eleven years later, he has returned to Sherwood, teaching Women’s Choir, Show Choir, Electronic Music as well as levels one and two of piano.

Dunn wants students to value the importance of music like he did while growing up. “Music created an opportunity for me at a time when I was really frustrated academically. Music opened up doors for me to go to college and see different parts of the world that we live in, and I want to share those wonderful qualities and experiences with my students and hopefully equip them to do the same,” said Dunn.

photo by Chase Wilson ’17