Jon Thorne studied at the London College of music with Maureen Smith and Penny Filer and at the Royal College of Music with Simon Rowland-Jones. Upon leaving the RCM Jon joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

In 2001 he left the BSO to form the Bronte String Quartet. As winners of the Royal Overseas League Competition and as prize winners at the Cremona International Quartet Competition, the Bronte Quartet played at venues including the Wigmore Hall, the Queen Elisabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and many other festivals throughout the UK and abroad.

Jon is a strong believer in music education and is a Professor at the Royal College of Music (Junior and Senior Depts.), the Royal Welsh College and at Royal Holloway University. Jon also is a Viola/Chamber Music coach for various courses and has given masterclasses for festivals all over the UK.

Jon plays a viola by W H Luff (1990).