Background, professional training and performance history
Jessica is a performer, teacher and student of the flute and piccolo. She has studied extensively with Claire Johnson and Sarah Frisof as well as Helen Blackburn, Terri Sundberg, Martha Aarons, Jennifer Hunter and Jocelyn Goranson. Jessica is currently a member of the National Flute Society and the Texas Music Educators Association. She is a former member of the Irving Community Band and has performed with ensembles including Flutissimo, a local Dallas-Fort Worth flute choir. Jessica has also performed in the theatre production of Sweeney Todd with the OhLook! Performing Arts Center and in solo performances at CATS: Creative Arts and Theatre School. During the 2009-2010 school year she completed an internship with a program called B-Sharp, an after school music program that fosters intense music training to under-privileged elementary school students at Como Elementary School.
Jessica has taught private lessons in the Mansfield and Fort Worth school districts in Texas and is now teaching at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts. Jessica completed her first two years of college at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was on a performance based scholarship. She performed in many solo and multi-instrumental recitals, small ensembles, the wind symphony and the symphony orchestra. Outside of school and the modern classical flute, she enjoys learning about other instruments such as the piano, guitar and world flutes including the Japanese shakuhachi. She has studied shakuhachi with Stan "Kakudo" Richardson, a Shihan, or Master, under the tutelage of Yodo Kurahashi II. Jessica also studies guitar privately with Olem Alves in order to enhance her facility as a singer-songwriter. Recently, she relocated to Eugene, Oregon to seek opportunities in the Pacific Northwest and continue her studies at the University of Oregon in musicology.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
“The content and length of lessons are individualized for each student. I want to ensure that the student's interests and the lesson curriculum are both addressed to the fullest extent. The curriculum is in place for the student to gain understanding of fundamentals in intonation, expression, tone production, coordination, technique, dynamics, style, repertoire, aural training and music theory. My main focus lies in developing students that gain a disciplined practice routine and creativity in order to facilitate advancement as a well-rounded musician."
Instruments & classes taught
Jessica teaches beginning to intermediate level flute and piccolo lessons for all ages.