Jonathan Swartz

Artistic and Executive Director

Praised by The Strad for his “impeccable playing” and “gorgeously viola-like tone,” violinist Jonathan Swartz enjoys a multi-faceted career.  His solo CD, Suite Inspiration (Soundset Recordings), received much critical acclaim.  John Terauds of Musical Toronto comments, “Swartz sounds as if his bow were strung with threads of silk rather than horsehair,” and calls his performance of Bach’s Chaconne “something to treasure.”

A devoted pedagogue, Swartz serves on the faculties of Arizona State University and Madeline Island Chamber Music.  He has previously taught at the University of Texas at El Paso, Domaine Forget Academy, Round Top Festival, Interlochen Arts Camp, Innsbrook Institute, and the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory.  Sought after as a master clinician, and frequent presenter at the American String Teachers Association National Conferences, his approach to bow technique was featured in a STRINGS magazine article in 2006.

Swartz is the founder and Artistic Director of the Visiting Quartet Residency Program at Arizona State University, a chamber music program that integrates visiting resident artists with a comprehensive chamber music curriculum.  He has also been instrumental in shaping the curriculum for the violin program at the Domaine Forget Academy. He presently serves as Artistic and Executive Director for Madeline Island Chamber Music.

Robert Hanson

Operations and Programs Manager

Robert Hanson joined Madeline Island Chamber Music in 2026. Previously having worked at the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, and Boston GuitarFest, he brings over a decade of experience as a cultural administrator to Madeline Island Chamber Music. Managing the operations and programs, he oversees admissions, scheduling, concerts, and community events. Growing up in Minnesota he has been coming to Madeline Island for almost forty years, and with a classical music performance background he is thrilled to be surrounded each summer by the immensely talented piano and string players that populate the island in the summertime.

You can contact him at robert.hanson@micm.org

Jonathan Kresha

Director of Campus Operations

Jonathan Kresha first came to Madeline Island Chamber Music as a viola student in 1998, just after graduating high school, and returned for two more summers while earning his degree in viola performance from Indiana University. Over the years, he has taken on many roles at MICM — from counselor and stage manager to concert recorder and housekeeping assistant — giving him a unique perspective on every part of campus life. Today, as Director of Campus Operations, Jonathan oversees facilities management and maintenance, supervises housekeeping and kitchen staff, and ensures our spaces are ready for music-making. During the school year, he teaches Spanish, French, and German in Duluth, MN, performs with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and teaches viola lessons.