Music has always been a part of Jon's life. Whether he and his mother would sing songs together while Jon was a child, or his father would play his Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey records for all to hear, there was always Music resonating from the Schipper household.

Jon was first was inspired to play Music when his brother played him a recording of Maynard Ferguson's album MF Horn I & II. The precision and power of the bands playing on the recordings sparked Jon interest in the overall Big Band style. Maynard Ferguson recordings soon led to Buddy Rich recordings, to Stan Kenton, etc, etc, etc. It was the sound of the classic lead trumpet that soared above the band and caught the attention of the listener. Jon wanted to do the same.

While in Middle School, Jon picked up his first cornet. He enjoyed playing in band mainly because he could produce a pretty good sound on the trumpet, and his directors started to acknowledge that. High School continued to open up new ventures for Jon, with ensembles such as Jazz Band, Marching Band and Symphony Orchestra.

During this time, Jon decided that Music Education and Performance would become a career path for him. Jon attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1993-1998. Jon played in many ensembles including UW Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the UW Big Band. He graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He currently teaches instrumental band and general music at Madison Country Day School in Waunakee, WI, as well as the Jazz program at James Madison Memorial High School.

Throughout his high school and college years, Jon also proudly marched five years with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, most notably as a featured soloist during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Jon is grateful for the wonderful experiences he had during these years, and hopes that other young men will continue to be inspired to march in the Madison Scouts, if not the Drum Corps activity overall.

Since college, Jon has gone on to backup many headliners including Frank Sinatra, Jr., The Temptations, Sly & The Family Stone, Cheap Trick, Ed Shaughnessy, Jon Faddis, Wayne Bergeron, Soulive, and others. His band Phat Phunktion has shared the stage with groups such as Maynard Ferguson, Chick Corea, Maceo Parker, Eddie Money, Tower of Power, Kool and The Gang, Cameo, War, The Original “P”, Morris Day and The Time, and The Brothers Johnson. He was also a featured soloist at the 2010 and 2011 UW Varsity Band Concert at the Kohl Center, in which he performed in front of a combined 3-night audience of 26,000 spectators.

Jon plays regularly with these local groups: The Jeff Peronto Jazz Orchestra, Madisalsa, The Madison Jazz Orchestra, Joe Scalissi & The Dry Martinis, Four Seasons Theatre, and The Tim Whalen Nonet.

Jon attributes his success in Music to the many wonderful teachers he's had over the years, including:
His parents, his brother Chris, Ms. Albrecht, Bill Fuller, Myrna Kay Young, Jim Knutson, Pam Gallagher, Professor John Aley, Scott Stewart, Clay Wachholz, Matthew Gregg, Van Matthews, Scott Boerma, and Dr. Gerald Olson.