B i o g r a p h y
Jean is an emerging solo pianist, chamber musician, and opera coach who has made international appearances, including performances in Austria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States. Jean won numerous national and international competitions, including the 8th New York International Music Concours and, as a result, she made her debut at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. In addition, Jean was the winner of the Irving Shain Woodwind-Piano Duo Competition with oboist Emily Knappen and has received an Honorable Mention in the American Prize Instrumental Solo Competition for her recording with tubist Steve Darling. Currently, Jean is preparing for an exciting project: a debut album with violinist Bartholomew Fortino-Shields on the Sheva Label in London. This album will be featured in the BBC Music Magazine, Naxos Music Library, and available online at Sheva Collection.
Jean has established herself as an opera coach through years of training and worked on many operas in Europe and the U.S. with world renowned conductors and worked at Aspen Opera Center, Central City Opera Festival, Hawaiian Performing Arts Festival, and Virginia Opera. Passionate about advocating for women in music, she is actively involved in premiering and performing works by women composers for concerts and conferences.
As an active educator, her passion for young musicians has led to participation in diverse music initiatives both nationally and internationally. Jean served as the Apprentice Coach for the Virginia Opera for both main stage productions and the educational outreach program; she was also the Music Director of the Young Singer Program for the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival and worked intensively with selective high school singers from worldwide. Jean also was the Apprentice Coach for the Tyrolean Opera Program in Austria and worked with young musicians from around the world.
Currently, Jean teaches at the University of Tennessee at Martin as Lecturer in Music of Collaborative Piano. Prior to joining UT Martin, she worked as the Apprentice Coach for Virginia Opera.
