Jonathan Neal was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended public schools in Greenville, South Carolina, including The Fine Arts Center. He holds a both a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami and a Master of Music degree from East Carolina University in percussion performance. He has taught and arranged for ensembles at East Carolina, the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Southwest Mississippi Community College, and various elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the southeastern United States. Jonathan Neal is Assistant Director of Bands at Savannah State University where he teaches applied percussion, percussion ensemble, and music appreciation classes.