Instruments played: Piano, Violin

Years played: 29

Genre: Classical Crossover

Sounds like: Myleene Klass, Bach, and Paul Cardall mixed with a little Hans Zimmer

Training: Classical

Specialities: Merging classical music with modern, orchestrating, arranging, and performing.

Orchestras performed with: Murray Symphony, Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, American Fork Symphony, BYU-I Symphony

Classical Influences : Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin.

Number of Albums: Almost 3.

Food of Choice : Chocolate. Always.

B i o

Jennifer started playing the piano and violin at age 5, and went on to study music at Brigham Young University- Idaho . Jennifer won the silver medal in her university’s concerto competition, performing Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto. She was also invited to perform as a concerto soloist with Salt Lake City’s Murray Symphony on the MacDowell Piano Concerto No 2. She has worked with the Seattle Symphony, participated with the Seattle Composer’s Salon at Benaroya Hall, and was a featured soloist at the Roosevelt Hotel. Jennifer performed with the Salt Lake Temple Square Concert Series for 3 years, and has also performed with various symphonies including the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.

Jennifer began composing music in 2004, combining the sounds of her classical training with modern new age, pop, and down-tempo beats making her a perfect example of a classical crossover. Jennifer released her debut album Key of Sea in January of 2007, and quickly became a favorite among listeners in the instrumental/piano genre.  The album was among Kathy Parson’s “Top 20 of 2007″ pick, as well as Kathy's "Top 40 of the Decade" list. Key of Sea is enjoyed on new-age/contemporary radio stations across the globe, and has captured the interest of filmmakers worldwide.

Jennifer’s music has been featured in numerous independent films, television networks, and more. Jennifer's first original filmscore for the short film "Minuet" won the Gold Medal of Excellence at the 2011 Park City Film Music Festival. Jennifer was also nominated for the 2011 Hollywood Music in Media Awards for "Best Classical Song".

Her most recent album, The Lullaby Album, was a collaboration with her mother, Carolyn Southworth.  The lullaby theme was inspired by new motherhood as Jennifer had her first child, Preston, in the summer of 2008 with husband, Will Thomas.  The album features the talents of Grammy nominated producer/engineer Paul Speer, Emmy award winning composer Jace Vek, Ourstsage Grand prize winner Jillian Goldin, and Ourstage multi-channel winner Lori Cunningham.   The Lullaby Album was included in both Kathy Parsons and Michael Debbages' "Top 20 of 2009" lists.

Jennifer and her husband, Will, have 2 sons, Preston (born June 2008), and Taylor (born Aug 2010). Up until the recent birth of her 2nd child, Jennifer kept a small studio of 15 piano students, and 2 violin students. With the hiatus away from teaching, she has concentrated her musical efforts more on composing and performing in conjunction with the release of a new Classical Crossover album entitled "Illumiation", expected to be released early 2012. 

D e t a i l e d B i o :

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