Hailing from San Diego, California, Jonathan Lin has been a passionate cellist since the age of nine. His formal education in cello performance began with a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied under Dr. William Grubb and graduated in 2018. He continued his advanced studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a Master of Music degree in 2020 with Professor Philippe Muller. Furthering his expertise, Jonathan obtained a Graduate Certificate from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 2022, studying with Professor Andrew Shulman.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonathan expanded his musical horizons through private studies with Robert Demaine and Ronald Leonard. In 2024, he had the privilege of working with Richard Aaron at the Aspen Music Festival. His previous teachers include esteemed artists such as Joon Sung Jun and Yao Zhao.

Jonathan's dedication to his craft is evident in his participation in master classes with renowned musicians including Yehuda Hanani, Adriana Contino, Brooklyn Rider Quartet, Robert Demaine, Brinton Smith, Lynn Harrell, Johannes Moser, Hans Jorgen Jensen, Ani Kavafian, and Steven Isserlis. He has also benefited from the guidance of Timothy Eddy, Amit Peled, Michel Strauss, Andres Diaz, Anne Williams, Minji Kim, Tom Landschoot, John Walz, and Alan Rafferty.

His chamber music coaching has included instruction from members of the American String Quartet, Ariel String Quartet, Borromeo String Quartet, as well as distinguished musicians such as Ko Iwasaki, Richard Slavich, Nicholas Mann, Jeffrey Irvine, the Shanghai Quartet, Yura Lee, and Ralph Kirshbaum.

Jonathan's festival experiences are extensive, having participated in the Idyllwild Summer Music Festival, Montecito International Music Festival, Madeline Island Chamber Music, Heifetz International Music Institute, Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival, Festival MusicAlp, Orford Music Academy, Domaine Forget, and the Aspen Music Festival.

An accomplished performer, Jonathan has garnered numerous accolades, including 2nd Prize at CCM’s Undergraduate Instrumental (Baur) Competition in 2016, Musical Merit Foundation of Greater San Diego Competition Scholarships in 2017 and 2021, 2nd Prize in the Strings Division of San Diego's Music Scholarship Council Competition in 2021, Best Contemporary Piece Performance prize at the 2022 La Jolla Young Artist Competition, and 1st Prize in the USC Thornton School of Music's Solo Bach Competition in 2024. He was also a recipient of the CCM’s Werner Scholarship in 2018.

Jonathan’s orchestral experience includes serving as the principal cellist for the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, with notable performances such as the Side-By-Side concerts with the San Diego Symphony in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, he was a member of the Music For All’s Honor Orchestra of America in 2014.

Currently, Jonathan is a substitute cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New World Symphony and held the position of Principal Cellist with the California Young Artists Symphony from 2022 to 2024.