Multi-instrumentalist, Piano Teacher
Specializing in Contemporary Piano Performance
Studio Lessons in Fishtown/East Kensington
My name is Jennifer Pague, and I am a music teacher here in the Philadelphia area. I started playing piano in 2nd grade, saxaphone and clarinet in 4th grade, bass clarinet and guitar in 6th grade, and have been singing forever. I was trained by a professional opera singer growing up. By the time I was sixteen years old, I was performing with the School of Rock all stars at major festivals such as Lollapalooza in Chicago and Austin City Limits in Austin Texas. I started my band (Vita and the Woolf) three years ago, and it has been a blast. I write, produce, sing, and play synthesizer and guitar in the band. The band has taken me to some really interesting places, such as singing at Citizens Bank Park for the Philadelphia Phillies game in June of 2015, and SXSW in Austin Texas. I have performed as a multi-instrumentalist for BC Camplight at Union Transfer and the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2015. Vita and the Woolf plans on releasing the next record in March of 2016.
I approach teaching based on how individual people learn. I have spent this past year teaching music and art to people with intellectual disabilities at SpArc Services. I have learned a lot about teaching concepts – Everyone learns differently and I feel it is of utmost importance as a teacher to cater to that. With piano, I start students with the basics, such as knowing chords, names of notes, and scales. Then I branch off into more fancy concepts. I love teaching and want everyone to have the gift of playing, performing, and composing music.
I started playing piano when I was in 2nd grade. I started with classical, and after seven years, I turned to contemporary piano performance. I started singing when I was in 5th grade. I always had a fascination with music. Every time my family would take me to my grandmother’s house when I was a child, I would head straight to the piano.
My personal goals as a musician include traveling the world performing my band’s music. Another goal is to continue learning about music and how I can get better and better at my instrument.
I remember the first song I ever wrote, and being so ecstatic because I finally figured out how to create something out of the concepts I had been learning in my musical studies. Writing a song you are happy with is a feeling that will stick with a person forever, even if it happens thousands of times.
Never stop playing – You will regret not being able to play your instrument. For some reason I trusted them and kept up on my practicing, and I am so glad I did.
My most challenging moment learning my instrument was when I started playing the second hand on the piano. I remember being so frustrated but after lots of practice I overcame that challenge.
My biggest musical achievement so far has been singing God Bless America at the Phillies game this summer. Singing in a stadium is very powerful and energizing, but also very frightening at the same time.
My favorite thing about teaching is seeing a person finally understand something they were having trouble with. There’s always a light in their eyes when they finally get it, and it makes me feel like I have done my job well.
What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?: Playing music may come naturally for some people. However, there are so many people in the world who had to work at it, and the results panned out for them. Music teaches a person patience in life.
Vita and the Woolf- We have played venues such as Johnny Brenda’s, Boot and Saddle, Bourbon and Branch, Brooklyn Bowl, Glasslands, and we are excited to take the stage for this year’s Xponential Music Festival. We have one EP released, titled “Fang Song”, and we are working on a new album due out in March of 2016. We have been on four tours, two of them national tours.