Hi friends - I write this from Atlanta, GA on the third day of 2025. The new year isn't exactly off to a great start, as I am currently in quarantine with a particularly nasty case of Covid.

This is my second (official) case of Covid. The first was during the final week of the "Cats" second national tour in Portland, OR in June 2022. I had been looking forward to visiting Portland for the entire ten-month contract, only to have to quarantine for the whole week after opening night. The 'Rona hit me like an 18-wheeler, and to add insult to injury I tested positive on my wedding anniversary a few days before my husband flew up to be with me for the tour's closing. I was distraught, since I knew I would not be returning to the tour full-time in the fall of 2022. Due to symptom timing, I was able to double-mask for the final two shows and say a meaningful goodbye to my dear, dear friends in that company, but it was still a very low point for me.

(I say that this is my second official case because when I was on tour in January 2020 I was hit hard with an undefinable "flu-like illness" that spread through our company like wildfire and had me down for the count for several days.)

In any case, my second (or third) Covid quarantine seemed like a great chance to give my website a long-overdue refresh! It no longer says "J. Craft is currently the AMD on 'Cats'", and I've updated some of my publicity photos. (I'm sporting a beard these days, and have been dying my hair blonde since I went as Ryan Gosling's Ken for Halloween 2023!)

There was so much that happened in 2024 that I'm deeply proud of:

• Speaking at an event for Klein ISD's fine arts program

• Film score debut with Blossom 21 Productions

• "Love, Holland" solo show at the Hobby Center Founders' Club

• MDing/conducting "Fiddler On The Roof" for A.D. Players

• MDing "Carrie" for SHSU

Without a doubt, however, the highest point of 2024 was working on "Frozen" at TUTS in December. I was originally only supposed to be the rehearsal pianist, assistant to the MD, and emergency conductor; in a twist of fate, however, I wound up covering keys1 for the entirety of the run. I was also given permission to conduct the evening show on Sunday, December 22nd. It was an absolute dream come true...I'm still flying high from that experience two weeks later.

There are already several upcoming projects in 2025 that I'm SUPER excited about:

• MDing "Pippin" for Glenda Dawson HS

• Playing keys2 for "The Little Mermaid" at the Kinkaid School

• MDing/conducting "She Loves Me" for UH

• MDing A.D. Players' 2025 gala (with an as-yet-unannounced Broadway star!)

• MDing/conducting "The Wizard Of Oz" for A.D. Players

Here's hoping for a swift and complete recovery from this case of Covid, and for some incredible music projects in 2025!

With every good wish,

Jonathan