Legacy’s Mission

…5 year old Jessica knew that she wanted to play the piano, and after several months of plunking out tunes that she loved singing in Sunday School, her parents signed her up for piano lessons. She loved playing, loved getting new songs each week, and loved putting stickers on every song that she passed. Most of all, she loved the time spent with her teacher. That one-on-one special time with her piano and harp teachers over the years has impacted her future in incredible ways. Her teachers did not just teach the fundamentals of reading music, but also taught the nuances of performing, how to shape phrases, how to care for the instrument, how to practice, how to memorize, and so much more. Of course, 13 year old Jessica did not necessarily appreciate the value of practicing technique and accuracy, but because of her dedicated teachers and supportive parents, she did not quit piano lessons and it changed her life…

This is part of the legacy which she wants to invest in her students.

Throughout high school Jessica performed for weddings as events and began teaching piano lessons. From 2009-2013 she studied Harp and Piano Performance at Bethel College (now Bethel University) in Mishawaka, IN. She studied harp with Suzann Davids and performed in the Michiana area as a soloist, with chamber ensembles, with a harp ensemble, and as the principal harpist for the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra. In 2014-2015 Jessica earned her music education degree through Indiana Wesleyan University, moved to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and began teaching kindergarten through fifth grade general music. During her time in elementary music, Jessica gained experience teaching young children, modifying instruction to meet the needs of every student, and managing small and large groups of students. From 2016-2018 she completed a master’s degree in Music Education through the University of Florida. In the five years that she taught at Sunman, Jessica built up the music program to include extracurricular singing and ukulele clubs, regularly integrated technology into her instruction, wrote a fifth grade curriculum, and most importantly, instilled a love for music in her students.

Jessica is also actively involved in her church as an accompanist, children’s choir director, and volunteer music teacher; which has given her countless opportunities to grow as a collaborative musician. Some of her favorite performance venues have been nursing homes where she and her students have been able to share the joy of music with the residents. One of Jessica’s highest priorities personally, and for her students, is to give back in service to others in her church and community…

This is part of the legacy which she wants to invest in her students.