In addition to her 20 years of experience teaching piano to all ages and levels of study,  Jen has been a General Music Teacher and Choral Director since 2002. She has taught students  from grades Pre-K through 12 as well as being a musical director for the drama club.  As a music educator, she has organized several piano recitals and other musical performances as well as having students evaluated at NYSSMA and the Piano Guild.   

Jen has studied with Mark Evans from Schenectady County Community College, Robert Jordan from SUNY College at Fredonia, and Pola Baytelman while enrolled at the College of Saint Rose. She has received her AS in Music, Bachelor’s in Piano Pedagogy, and a Master’s degree in Music Education. She recently has been certified as a Music Together Director.

In addition to learning how to read music and develop one’s playing technique on an instrument, Jen believes it is important to develop one’s musicality. Being able to internalize  a sense of rhythm, pitch, musical expression, and creativity can be achieved through activities such as singing, movement, listening, performing with others, improvisation, composition, and exposure to different styles and genres. This philosophy is why Jen chose to obtain her Music Together certification.

All of this being said, Jen feels that two of the most important things for a person to possess are a love of music and the freedom to express themselves. This is what inspired her to become a teacher of the arts.