Meet your Adjudicator – Jr Piano

This week we will introduce you to Jennifer Smele (M.Mus., B.Mus., A.Mus., A.R.C.T., R.M.T.), who will be the adjudicator for Junior Piano.

Jennifer is very active in the greater Toronto area as both a performer and teacher. She holds her Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Toronto where she studied with Dr. Midori Koga. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Ontario, her A.R.C.T. Performer’s diploma with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and her Associate Teaching diploma with Conservatory Canada.  Throughout her studies, Jennifer was the recipient of several academic awards including the prestigious Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Her research centred around injury prevention as well as piano student retention strategies.

Jennifer is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners and runs a professional studio in Brampton where she offers piano and theory lessons in both Classical and Popular genres.   She has been a guest clinician at the University of Toronto, presenting graduate student workshops on a variety of pedagogical topics, and enjoys adjudicating music festivals throughout Canada. She is excited to be introducing a new teaching workshop entitled, “The Power of a Picture: Using Imagery and Imagination to Inspire Piano Progress” to ORMTA groups across Ontario.

Jennifer has pursued studies in the field of Early Childhood Music Education as well as mindfulness practice and performance under Madeline Bruser of New York. She completed a collaborative piano internship with Music Theatre Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany as well as the musician mentorship program with the Canadian National Ballet. Jennifer enjoys classes in Dalcroze Eurythmics which combine her passions for movement, music education and improvisation.

A versatile pianist, Jennifer performs regularly at a variety of venues including nursing homes, receptions, weddings, and churches throughout Ontario. She has recently enjoyed collaborating with the Brampton Childrens’ Chorus, the Rose Orchestra, and the Chinguacousy Swing Orchestra.

In her spare time, Jennifer loves to ballroom and Latin dance and practices yoga. She has a very special place in her heart for little pianists and is grateful for the opportunity to nurture and pass on to them the love of music.