JONATHAN WEI joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic's second violins in March 2000 after serving as a member of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he held the position of Associate Principal Violinist in the San Diego Symphony. Wei is also active in both solo and chamber music. He plays chamber music regularly with other members of the San Francisco Symphony as well as giving solo recitals. He was the co-founder and concertmaster of the Chinese-musician-based South Bay Chamber Ensemble in San Jose, California.

A native of China, Wei began his violin studies with his father at the age of five. He was invited to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at age 13. While he was in China, he made numerous concert appearances with various orchestras, such as the Wu Han Symphony Orchestra.

In 1987, Wei was awarded a full scholarship to study with Dr. Eduard Schmieder (a pupil of the legendary Russian violinist David Oistrakh) at the University of Southern California. Since then, he has won several competitions in California, including the Napa Symphony and the Pasadena Symphony's Young Artist Competition. He has appeared frequently in concert throughout California. He made his concerto debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in November 2002.