Jill's Bio

Jill is a voice and piano teacher with a performance degree from Cornerstone University. She has been teaching since she was in high school in many different capacities, and has worked with many different students. She currently teaches for three schools in a private capacity, and leads worship in a rotation for a bilingual congregation.

Jill lived in Music City USA for over 17 years and knows a bit how the industry works! While there she taught, played, recorded, and performed in several different bands, choirs, plays, and a longtime duo. The call of family was strong, and she returned to west Michigan with her growing family in 2012. She has now returned to her roots, and is enjoying the “full-circle” of being home, where her love of music began.

Jill appreciates the practical and the passion that go into making music. She strives to capture what will motivate the student to intrinsically desire to hone their craft. “If it's not fun and you don't enjoy it, you won't do it!” She also believes in building a strong foundation in theory, technique, sight reading, and keeping track of progress by enabling the student to see what they've accomplished, through tracking with lots of positive encouragement.

Here is an outline of her experience:

Sojourn: music and drama touring group.

Multiple vocal solos, group and ensemble work, musical theatre multi-state touring troupe. Also accompanied self and others with piano, worked with sound equipment.

Volunteer sound technician for worship services at local church.

Choir participation, singing harmony and some solos. Drama ministry included, several times per year.

Solo and ensemble festival competition, both as solo and ensemble competitor. I & II scores.

Participation in auditioned choirs for four years.

Piano lessons for 6 years, Voice lessons for 2 years prior to high school graduation.

Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance

Multiple involvements in music and drama shows, recitals, and other performance venues.

Double minors in piano and guitar

Private voice, piano and guitar instruction for Franklin School of Music (now closed).

Volunteer director for College Heights Passion Play production; cast of 300+

Ensembles for weekly services

Vocals for local area bands, multiple genres

Television broadcast and studio work, vocal

Songwriting in different genres

Praise band and local band participation weekly

Recording work with duo, ensemble

Worship leader for local congregation

Praise band in multiple languages

Solo performances

Worship service leader, bilingual

Private piano and voice instruction