JENNIFER SMELE, M.Mus., B.Mus., A.Mus., A.R.C.T., R.M.T.
Jennifer is very active in the Brampton music community as both a performer and teacher. She holds her Masters degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Toronto where she studied with master piano pedagogue Dr. Midori Koga. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Music (Education) at the University of Western Ontario, her A.R.C.T. Performers diploma with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and her Associate Teaching diploma with Conservatory Canada. Throughout her studies, Jennifer was the recipient of several academic awards including the prestigious Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Jennifer is an active member of the Royal Conservatory of Musics College of Examiners and runs a local professional studio where she offers piano and theory/harmony lessons in both Classical and Popular genres. She is a regular guest clinician at U of T, offering undergraduate and graduate workshops on a variety of pedagogy topics and enjoys adjudicating music festivals throughout Ontario. Her workshop, The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Transfer Students: Maximizing Success with Every Music Student has been received by O.R.M.T.A. groups with positive acclaim.
Jennifer is a versatile, professional vocal and instrumental accompanist and recording artist. She performs regularly at a variety of venues including nursing homes and churches throughout Ontario and was the Music Director at Trinity United Church in Shelburne, Ontario for several years. She is happy to be the President of the Bolton-Brampton-Caledon ORMTA branch.
Jennifer has pursued further studies in the field of Early Childhood Music Education under the direction of Mary Stouffer and collaborative piano studios with Dr. Chris Foley of Oakville, Ontario. She spent July 2013 completing a collaborative piano internship with Music Theatre Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany and recently pursued studies in the field mindfulness practice and performance with Madeline Bruser from New York.
Jennifer is currently excited to be pursuing studies in the field Dalcroze Eurythmics, combining her passions for movement, music and improvisation.