Staying on Key: Alumni Pursue their Purpose in Music
By Carlson Wakefield
November 30, 2022
Jonah Thorton ’20 is a graduate of the John Brown University music & theatre department. He works at JBU in the audio, visual and lighting (AVL) department but writes, produces and performs his own music with his band Kin & Company. Thorton talks about his experience at JBU and the faculty and staff that pushed him to pursue excellence in his music after graduation.
Tell me about Kin & Company. How did it start, and what does that look like for you now?
“It started as a solo endeavor. I used to be in a band called Willowack, and near the end of that I was still writing a bunch of songs and really liked them. I was producing them and recording them at home and ended up putting out an album as a senior capstone project and then just kept doing it. Now it’s Russell Patterson ’19, John Rhodes ’20 and me. We hit the road every couple of weekends, and we’re working on material that’s not made in my bedroom and working to produce some high-quality stuff.”
Was being in a band something you always knew you wanted to do?
“Absolutely. That was always the goal, especially for John and me. We’ve been playing together since high school, so that’s always been in the cards for us. Now that we’re adults and have real jobs, we’re trying to figure out if it’s a hobby or a long-term career decision.”
Describe your student experience in the JBU music department?
“I loved my time in the music department at JBU. I majored in worship arts so that I could do more of the production side of things. I got to participate in some really cool things like chapel band and Red Steps, but Next Big Thing was my favorite; I loved it. It was a blast. Everyone got to rally around you, and you got to have the rock star experience. It was so fun.”
What was something you experienced at JBU that has impacted the way you create music today?
“The faculty and staff are a big one for that. They were great advocates for me to experiment and be creative in my music. They were very open to the idea of me wanting to be in a band and encouraged me to do it in the space that I was in. But they also challenged me to look at compositions and ask, ‘How could I do these better?’”
What is the long-term goal for Kin & Company?
“Right now is a really fun time to ask that question. When we left college, the goal was to get signed to a label, which is still in the cards for us. COVID kind of slowed some things down; so, right now, we’re regrouping. We’re looking to build an audience and play as much as we can. I think we’re onto something, and the future is looking bright but hazy. We’re open to whatever comes our way.”
Nephtali Cantú ’18 graduated from JBU with a degree in music education. He has performed in choirs through middle school, high school and college as a member of JBU’s Cathedral Choir. He now directs choirs at Lingle Middle School in Rogers, Arkansas, and models his investment in his students after his experience at JBU.
Was teaching choir something you always wanted to do?
“I actually started looking for a worship arts program and found one at JBU. But going into my freshman year, I decided to study music education to keep my options open after college. After graduation, I was opposed to the idea of teaching, but some doors closed and others opened, and I was contacted about this position. Within five days, I applied, interviewed and was offered the position. It’s been a long road, but this is year five and the first year I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
What was your favorite performance you were a part of at JBU?
“Well, I had a lot of performances — I was in Cathedral Choir, I led chapel band, I had a senior capstone solo performance — all I really enjoyed. I was able to work with some really special faculty like Paul Smith and Liesl Dromi, and they pushed me to do things I hadn’t done before. Being in the Cathedral Choir and the Chamber Choir, I was a part of some special performances.”
What would you tell a student currently studying music education at JBU?
“Well, first, practically, I would say get into the school classrooms as much as possible and get that real-life experience. No matter what university you attend, there’s only so much they can teach you during class sessions. Second, once you go out and get your first job, if you’re questioning it, give it a couple of years. I know that sounds like a long time; but as a teacher, during that time, you’re just figuring it out and just getting to know the system. It can be very tiring, but you’ve got to give yourself grace, and every single year you’ll learn a little bit more.”
Was there something you learned at JBU that has been instrumental in the way you teach?
“The biggest thing I learned at JBU was coming into my own and accepting myself. JBU provided me with incredible friends and faculty in the music department that impacted me. It was those people showing me over and over that I was loved that now allows me to do that with my students. The musical part of my job is important, but the whole reason for doing what I’m doing is to impact those students. I want my choirs to be excellent, but first and foremost, I care about who they are. My experience at JBU gave me a reference point for how I could do that and be the best person I could be for my students.”
