Obituary of Dorothy Jonas

Dorothy Kaliff Jonas passed away on 6/22/2020 at the age of 98.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Dorothy trained at the Juilliard School. 

She played with the Phil Spitalny all girl orchestra in the forties, toured the country, was on the radio’s Hour of Charm, and made the movie Here Come  the Coeds. 

She joined the faculty of The Music Conservatory of Westchester in 1965. 

In 1978 Dorothy formed the Pierce-Jonas duo with pianist Joshua Pierce and over the next 20 years they gained significant renown touring internationally and making more than 50 recordings. 

Among their most memorable experiences was a command performance for the British royal family at London’s Royal Festival Hall. 

She is survived by a daughter Lynn Stewart Braunstein of Cross River, a grandson Blaine Braunstein of Manhattan, and a great granddaughter Bailey Braunstein.