Jennifer Hobbs is a dedicated musician and educator who brings a wealth of experience to her role with the UYO. She holds a Master of Music with an emphasis in Education and Performance from the University of Connecticut, as well as a dual A.B. in Music and History from Bowdoin College.
Ms. Hobbs’ musical training began at the age of three when she started studying the violin with Yuko Takahashi, a student of Dr. Shin’ichi Suzuki. Her rigorous early training continued through high school, studying violin at Yale University with Paul Kantor and piano at the Hartt School of Music with Betty Winograd. Throughout her collegiate and post-graduate years, she refined her violin technique under the tutelage of Stephen Kecskemethy, Thomas Moore, and Emlyn Ngai, and studied chamber music with members of the Portland String Quartet. During her graduate studies at the University of Connecticut, she focused deeply on ensemble instruction, conducting, performance practices, and educational philosophy, featuring specialized training with Jeffrey Renshaw, Peter Bagley, and Mary Ellen Junda.
An accomplished music educator, Ms. Hobbs dedicated over twenty years to the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, serving as the Music Department Chairman for eleven of those years. She was originally hired to launch a string studies and orchestra program, and her first year began with just a single string trio. Within a few years, she grew the initiative into a celebrated orchestral program featuring a string orchestra, an advanced chamber orchestra, and a symphony orchestra that seamlessly integrated student musicians with faculty and community members. Under her guidance, her students achieved remarkable success, participating in prestigious honors ensembles and competitions including CMEA All-State, NAfME All-Nationals, the Carnegie Hall Youth Honors programs, and the Tanglewood Pre-College Summer Program.
As an active performer, Ms. Hobbs played as a core violinist with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years. In 2021, she relocated to New Hampshire to be closer to family and continues to perform with various ensembles throughout New England. Since her move, she has brought her expertise to UpBeat New Hampshire in various roles, serving as a violin and viola instructor, sectionals coach, and conductor. Ms. Hobbs is thrilled to be working with the UYO and truly enjoys helping young musicians develop their ensemble skills.
