Jonathan Ruckman is an honors graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) and an alumnus of the Grammy-winning Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) with over twenty years of experience performing and teaching.

After completing his studies at CIM, Mr. Ruckman won an international audition to become the Interim Assistant Principal Cellist with the LPO. From 2004-2007, Mr. Ruckman appeared as both first and second chair cellist for countless performances throughout the New Orleans area. While a member of the LPO, Mr. Ruckman obtained lifetime tenure and was elected to the Board of Trustees.

After experiencing the trauma of Hurricane Katrina as a New Orleans resident, Mr. Ruckman decided to enter public service. From 2007-2010, Mr. Ruckman attended the George Washington University Law School. During law school, Mr. Ruckman focused on human rights law and completed a certificate program in international human rights law at New College, Oxford.

After passing the Maryland and Kentucky bar exams, Mr. Ruckman served as an immigration attorney for Catholic Charities of Louisville. Mr. Ruckman successfully represented hundreds of refugees and asylees during his time at Catholic Charities. While working full-time as an attorney, Mr. Ruckman completed a degree in Social Work from the Kent School of Social Work, receiving the Graduate Dean’s Citation.

Since 2007, Mr. Ruckman has been a freelance cellist, performing and teaching throughout the Louisville, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans metropolitan areas. Mr. Ruckman is a regular substitute cellist with the Louisville Orchestra. Mr. Ruckman has also made substitute appearances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Erie Philharmonic, and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Mr. Ruckman has also appeared as a guest artist on numerous chamber music series, including the New Orleans Chamber Music Festival, the Derby City Chamber Music Festival, Music for a Purpose, and the NouLou Chamber Players. Mr. Ruckman maintains a private studio out of his home in Indian Hills, KY, where he lives with his wife and three young children.