We are excited to welcome Jessica Barnes to the TIA team!
Jessica brings a unique and important addition of another vocal faculty member with a passion for musical theater, and, Jessica brings something that the community has been asking for: Saturday voice lessons!
Jessica is a vocalist who works with both children and adults developing their ability to sing. Jessica is a veteran teacher who has taught for 7 years at the elementary school level, working with students on music theory basics, early instrumental skills, both in percussion and melodic instruments, dancing, and of course singing. She also has experience working at the high school/middle school level at Summer in the Arts, a summer camp for art, music and technology, where she taught voice class, musical theater and an acappella vocal group.
Jessica is passionate about music and loves to share her joy and expertise with her students. Music is a significant subject as it is a universal language where one can express emotions that cannot be verbalized. The voice is a very personal instrument, not just involving the voice but also the mind, spirit and body. Teaching the vocalist as a whole is truly important. Jessica believes it is important to determine the skill level of each student and individualize each lesson, to better meet each student’s needs using their strengths and unique learning style to grow into the best musician they can be.
Jessica has performed in many musicals, a jazz combo, church choirs, acappella groups, and choirs. When it comes to music she believes that variety is the spice of life, but finding a genre that you love is also key. Jessica just moved here from Texas with her husband Tim and her three beautiful children, Aurora (5), Dean (3), and Clara (1). Jessica holds a bachelor of music specializing in education and majoring in voice, from Longwood University. Most importantly of course, Jessica shares our mission and values, comes highly endorsed by her former supervisors, and is excited to serve the TIA community.
Jessica is currently enrolling private voice students on Thursday and Friday late afternoons, and Saturday mornings. She will also likely be teaming up with Molly in our new musical theater class that starts this winter.