Voice Teacher

Influences: My goal in all of my teaching is to give the student the knowledge and support they need to be able to sing or play in a way that enriches their lives and imagination. I teach a healthy vocal technique based on my years of experience singing opera and musical theater professionally. The great thing about learning a healthy vocal technique is that it can be applied to all styles of singing. I've helped students achieve their goals as jazz, country, pop and rock as well as the more classical genres. Most importantly, I want to get to know the student as a person and and help them find the freedom to express themselves through music. Other influences on my teaching are a strong background in musical theory, which I introduce to all students through fun and practical methods. Since I am also a pianist, I use a wide range of repertoire in my teaching and am able to work on any music the student wishes to bring into the lesson, as long as it can be done in a way that is healthy for the voice and the content is age appropriate. If you would like any more information on my teaching methods or influences, please ask!

Piano Teacher

Influences: I began piano lessons at age 7. I began performing at age 12 and began teaching at age 15. I find that playing the piano improves memory, concentration and confidence for people of all ages. It is also very fun and rewarding and a great inlet into the vast world of music. I encourage anyone interested in any style of music to learn to play the piano. For younger students, I teach a fun, structured course that encourages the child's creativity and nurtures a natural love for music. For older students I typically try to discover what kinds of music inspire them and base my teaching method around their individual goals. In all ages, my method helps get rid of nervousness and "stage fright" that plagues so many young performers and adults. I welcome all styles and encourage students to find music they enjoy hearing so they will enjoy practicing. I teach music theory to all levels and ages of students in a way that is fun and practical and not at all like a "theory lesson." This requires no extra books, as I generally write notes in a regular notebook and encourage the student to remember basic theory so it is of use to them. I am comfortable teaching out of many commonly used method books and do not require the purchasing of an new or expensive materials if method books have already been purchased. If you have any additional questions about my teaching methods or influences, please ask!

About Me:
An avid performer and teacher, Jennifer's varied and ever expanding career began with piano lessons at the age of 7. She began teaching piano at age 15.

At age 18 she decided to pursue voice, opera and musical theater in addition to piano. Since then, Jennifer has performed a wide range of repertoire as a professional piano accompanist, opera singer, recitalist, concert performer and church musician. Her performing endeavors have taken her to Fuzhou, China, St. Petersburg, Russia and La Lointaine, France to perform and study her art form.
Jennifer is also notable for her solo recitals of art song, opera and broadway music which she performs while accompanying herself at the piano.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Masters in Music and Graduate Performance Diploma in Opera from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University located in Baltimore, Maryland. A recent resident of Philadelphia, Jennifer is looking to expand her piano and voice studio.

Ages:
Elementary School, Pre-teen, Teenage, Adult

Experience:

• Instructor of Voice and Musical Theater - The Maryland Conservatory of Music, Bel Air, MD
• Private Voice Instructor - Conway, Arkansas and Baltimore, Maryland
• Director of Music - Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, Handbell Choir, Loch Raven United Methodist Church
• Instructor of Piano and Voice - The University of Central Arkansas Community Music Program
• Accompanist for lessons, recitals and competitions- The University of Central Arkansas
• Pianist - Salem United Methodist Church, Conway, AR

Education:

• GPD in Opera Performance (Graduate Performance Diploma), Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University [2011]
• Master of Music in Voice (MM), Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University [2009]

Studied With:

• Phyllis Bryn-Julson [2007 - 2011]
• Dr. Martha Antolik [2003 - 2007]
• Dr. Carl Anthony [2000 - 2007]

Scholarships:

• The Lydia Richard Gillespie Endowed Scholarship Fund [2009 - 2011]
• The Peabody Merit Scholarship [2007 - 2009]