Jennifer Bumgarner | Voice and Piano
“True confession – I wasn’t too sure at first about teaching. After some time touring the country with my husband, we were living in the hospitality of my mother-in-laws basement, which meant at some point needing to discover what was next without being too hasty. The music studio Jordan was teaching at just so happened to be looking for voice teachers, and I realized rather quickly that to ignore the opportunity would be to combat the age old saying that has its roots for a reason: “beggars can’t be choosers.” Although I had a foundation of head knowledge, brought on by excellent teachers that I had the pleasure of learning from in both classical voice and piano training, I was not so sure how that would translate to students of my own, and frankly, how I would enjoy it. Well, it didn’t take long. Just a few lessons in and I was hooked. So it stands to this day, I love those few moments at the start of each lesson where I get to hear from my students about their day. I love the quiet joy they share when overcoming a challenge. I love seeing the value they feel as individuals capable of learning and creating. I love the discovery of art as a means to access both your head and your heart. I love that music is universal, full of technique and emotion that, as a language of its own, transcends mere language of the tongue.”
Miss Jennifer holds a Bachelors Degree in Music and Communication from Houghton College in New York State and studied on Martha’s Vineyard as a part of the Contemporary Music Program, where she incorporated her classical training with a deep love for songwriting among music industry reps. After performing her original work as a solo artist, she quickly formed a band under the moniker ‘Lucrezio’ writing, touring, and recording in the Chicago area and surrounding states. Along with her husband and fellow Sparrow teacher, Jennifer toured nationwide as an acoustic duo in between roles as a Worship Arts Pastor, first at River Valley Community Church in Rockford, IL and then with Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. In addition to Jennifer’s solo project, Lucrezio has produced four studio albums and released one live album. They are currently writing for Volume II [Rise] of yet another original project ‘The Way We Are.’ Having begun teaching in 2014, she has fallen in love with the student-mentor relationship that she feels so privileged to take on, and is emphatic about instilling the developmental and expressive value of the arts in both children and adults alike.
Jordan Bumgarner | Guitar (Acoustic + Electric), Drums, Ukulele
Mr. Jordan is a seasoned, contracted musician throughout the Chicago suburbs. His primary contracted instrument is guitar, but has instructed students additionally in drums, ukulele, and even a sprinkling of bass in his 14 years of teaching. He excels at bringing an understanding of the instrument to each of his students, implementing both theory and the chance to play a favorite song. Mr. Jordan is also a natural mentor and invests in the student, not just the success.
More on Mr. Jordan coming, but we’d like to think that’s a pretty good start…