Jonathan Hunkins is a retired Music Department Chairman from Massena Central School District, and Director of Bands from the Massena, Lisbon, Morristown, and Hammond Central Schools where his responsibilities included the high school concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles, pep bands, percussion ensembles and music theory. A 1991 graduate of Ithaca College, Mr. Hunkins earned a B.M. degree with high honors double majoring in Music Education and Music Performance with a percussion concentration. Mr. Hunkins later completed his M.S. degree with honors in Music Education and elected as a member of the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda from the Crane School of Music, SUNY at Potsdam, NY in 1996. Mr. Hunkins was also a recipient of the National Band Association's "Citation of Excellence" in 2021.
Mr. Hunkins frequently performs throughout the North Country as a percussionist including such groups as the Orchestra of Northern NY, Northern Symphonic Winds, local Rock/Blues/Folk bands, and the Norwood Brass Fireman since 1985. Mr. Hunkins also serves as one of the church organists for the Norwood United Methodist Church. Mr. Hunkins also frequently guest conducts both concert bands and jazz ensembles. He is an active NYSSMA and Percussive Arts Society member and served as the NYSSMA Zone 5 Representative for the Tri-County area in upstate NY from 2016-2021. Mr. Hunkins is also a past Board of Education member for the Norwood-Norfolk Central School District for 12 years as well as sitting on the board for the Norwood Village Green Concert Series. Mr. Hunkins is also an active clinician in the areas of conducting, percussion, and technology throughout the state.