"Pianist Jennifer Thomas has what it takes. Her exceptional debut album ranges from the classics to the cinematic, and all played with intelligence, sensitivity and passion rarely heard in the New Age category. Bravo Jennifer, I’ll be watching out for what you record next..." -Michael Hoppe, GRAMMY Award nominated composer.
Jennifer started playing the piano and violin at age 5, and went on to study music at Brigham Young University- Idaho . Jennifer won the silver medal in her university’s concerto competition, performing Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto. She was also invited to perform as a concerto soloist with Salt Lake City’s Murray Symphony on the MacDowell Piano Concerto No 2. She has worked with the Seattle Symphony, participated with the Seattle Composer’s Salon at Benaroya Hall, and was a featured soloist at the Roosevelt Hotel. Jennifer performed with the Salt Lake Temple Square Concert Series for 3 years, and has also performed with various symphonies including the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.
Jennifer began composing music in 2004, combining the sounds of her classical training with modern new age, pop, and down-tempo/triphop beats making her a perfect example of a classical crossover. Jennifer released her debut album Key of Sea in January of 2007, and quickly became a favorite among listeners in the New-Age genre. The album was among Kathy Parson’s “Top 20 of 2007″ pick, as well as Kathy's "Top 40 of the Decade" list. Key of Sea is enjoyed on new-age/contemporary radio stations across the globe, and has captured the interest of filmmakers worldwide.
Jennifer’s music was featured in 2 independent films in 2007, and most recently in the 2008 International Free Skiing Festival award winning film “Reasons” by Poor Boyz Productions- one of the leading ski & snowboard filmmakers in the USA. Her song “Fly Away” won 1st place in conjunction with the 2007 Swan Lake Moving Image and Music Awards in Germany, and is a three-time 1st place winner in the Instrumental Channel on Ourstage.com in 2008. "Fly Away" was most recently featured on NBC Universal Sports for promos for the 2009 World Beach Volleyball Championships. Her song “You By My Side” won the public-vote award at the 2008 Swan Lake Moving Image and Music Awards.
Her newest album, The Lullaby Album, (now available) is a collaboration with her mother, Carolyn Southworth. The lullaby theme was inspired by new motherhood as Jennifer had her first child, Preston, in the summer of 2008 with husband, Will Thomas. The album features the talents of Grammy nominated producer/engineer Paul Speer, Emmy award winning composer Jace Vek, Ourstsage Grand prize winner Jillian Goldin, and Ourstage multi-channel winner Lori Cunningham. The Lullaby Album was recently included in both Kathy Parsons and Michael Debbages' "Top 20 of 2009" lists.
Jennifer is currently working on a new Classical Crossover album, Portraits, which she hopes to release sometime in 2011. In addition to composing and performing, Jennifer also keeps a small studio of 11 piano students, and 1 violin student where she encourages fun and creativity. She also pens articles as an author for The Music Teacher Helper’s Blog on a monthly basis. Jennifer and her husband, Will, have 1 son, Preston (born June 2008), and another baby on the way due mid-August 2010.
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Read Jennifer's extended bio
