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Learn More About Jennifer's Experience:

music history My undergraduate music history studies at classes through Douglass College were presented through the Mason Gross School of the Arts. I participated in a full year program, Structural & Stylistic Analysis of Music, which delved into the in depth analysis of musical examples covering plainchant through J.S.Bach. Once I transferred to Georgian Court College, my studies ranged from the traditional, covering the musical periods, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary to be brief, to more focused topics like Music in the United States, which covered the place of music in American history as well as a cross curricular semester, Art Music and Literature Since the Renaissance in which three professors presented the correlations of hte chief figures in each of these disciplines. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with my concentration in Music History with my senior year seminar paper dedicated to the American Musical Theater. Through my excellent working relationship with John Clarizio, owner and instructor of Clarizio Music, he has allowed me to develop my own "curriculum" of studio classes in music history to enrich the music lesson experience for all the students. It is my goal to continue my knowledge and appreciation of music and its history on a graduate level. music theory My admiration for music theory began in high school where I studied for two years under Loren D. Donley. I dabbled in original composition and placed in the Senior Talent Show with an original song that I composed, sang and played. Upon graduation, I was the recipient of two music scholarships. My undergraduate study at Rutgers University and Georgian Court College included one year of basic theory, two years of Harmony featuring species counterpoint through four part writing and later involving chromatic harmony and advanced modulation. In addition, I studied two years of theory based musicianship with progressive study in sight singing, interval recognition, melodic and rhythmic notation as well as melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation based on sight singing materials. In 1993, I started my private piano studio where I always included the fundamentals of theory in such a way as even my youngest 5 year old student could understand and enjoy. Fom 1995 to 2000, I was the creator and instructor of their Piano Keyboarding classes through the Monmouth Adult Education Commission. In 2000, I was employed both by the First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan, NJ as a piano keyboard teacher and the St. Thomas Christian Academy as a General Music Teacher where I was able to incorporate fun and learning into my classes. In 2002, I was invited to join the teaching staff at Clarizio Music, a private music studio in Point Pleasant, NJ where I have been allowed to develop my own "curriculum" of classes in theory and history to supplement their lesson schedule. I have been a private music teacher since 1993 and have used written theory supplemental materials such as Schaum and Adair and have become fond of the new computer aided theory software such as Music Ace Maestro and Sibelius. Throughout my teaching career, I have always felt that the study and understanding of music theory is integral to the success of music of itself, how the pieces fit like a puzzle to create the limitless possibilities of the musical art piano I began my musical studies at age 10. After a year my instructor informed my parents that I was suited for composition. In high school, I accompanied at three choral concerts, including the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, a winter choral tradition at our school. I received two music scholarships upon graduation. I started my education at Rutgers University, taking classes through the Mason Gross School of the Arts, while attending Douglass College. After two years, I left school to start my family and it was at that time that I was introduced to the joy that is teaching piano. I have been an active piano teacher in Ocean County since 1993, producing recitals and summer programs. From 1995 to 2000, I designed and taught my own introductory class through The Monmouth Adult Education Commission. I received my degree in Humanities with a Music History concentration from Georgian Court College in 1997. I was also a private instructor through the First Presbyterian Church School of Music in Manasquan, NJ in 2000. Also in 2000, I served as the General Music teacher at St. Thomas Christian Academy in Brick, NJ where I performed at weekly chapel sessions as well as designed a piano lesson program within the school in contrast to the traditional instrumental program. I am a firm believer in the phrase, "A good teacher never stops learning". To that effect i have attended several of the Piano Pedagogy seminars through the Westminster Choir College of Rider University since 2002 and have participated in their Professional Certification program. I have worked as an invited instructor at Clarizio Music in Point Pleasant, NJ since 2002 as well as maintained my own private studio in nearby Brick, NJ. In addition, I am an invited musician in the music Ministry at St. Martha's Catholic Church, where I act as accompanist for the cantors when the music director is unavailable. I have utilized the methods of Alfred, Bastien and Thompson to name a few and have well over 100 students past and present to my credentials, all of which hold a special place in my heart. I have always taught in a relaxed and fun environment, incorporating games and jokes within each lesson, and gaining a unique rappore with each student, treating each student like an individual with a wealth of potential into which I can invite the gift of piano music.