Piano with Jessica B.

Mrs. B grew up in Cheyenne, and has been participating in music and dance since she was six years old, and teaching since she was 13. She has been singing since age 2, and playing the piano and violin since she was 8. She began teaching private violin and piano lessons at age 13, and was part of her high school orchestra and chamber orchestras. She was also part of both her junior high and high school concert and jazz choirs which received numerous awards and high rating at various music festivals. She received the Guild of Piano Teachers Sonatina Award when she was 14 years old, and also received recognition for her playing from both her school and community. While in junior high and high school she played weekly at area senior citizens homes and has played every style of music written for the piano. Mrs. B has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and while there received numerous awards, scholarships and recognitions for both her performance and teaching abilities. She has also played with the UNC Jazz Lab Bands, and the UNC Symphonic Band. In the Summer of 2004 she earned her certification in the Orff Program Levels One and Two. Mrs. B has also helped encourage students to become music teachers by allowing Music Education students to come observe her classes and student teach with her. For six years, Mrs. B taught general music, choir and jazz band to students in kindergarten through high school at schools in Greeley, CO. She was very involved in the day-to-day running of the music department at each school and was responsible for helping to write and edit music newsletters, creating and maintaining the music department website, and coordinating fundraising efforts for the music department. Her University Schools After-School Arts groups performed at community events as well as the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival where they received I ratings. In 2009, Mrs. B came back to Cheyenne, and taught at Saddle Ridge Elementary School for 12 years. Mrs. B is passionate about helping each student she teaches reach their full potential. She is constantly seeking new and exciting ways to present new material and how best to teach each student she has. Lessons at her studio include playing music from books, games, stories, movement and many other activities to keep learning fun and engaging.