Jennifer Pearl
About
Jennifer Ann Pearl has been teaching students of all ages for the last eighteen years, in private as well as in a choral setting. Her unique background includes classical vocal studies with an emphasis in the Italian bel canto method and a study and performance of the African-American Spiritual, both as a choral conductor and soloist. Her work as a young singer in both singing in and observing master classes with late Bass-baritone, William Warfield and Metropolitan opera vocal coach, Sylvia Olden Lee, shaped her approach to music as being "between the notes" and derived from the poetry/text of the song. Jen is beginning her third year on the voice faculty at EKS and is the founder and conductor of the Quincy-based Schiller Boston-Area Community Chorus. She frequently runs free choral and vocal workshops in Dorchester at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, to teach the congregants and members of the community to sing.
As a performer, Jen sings in concert venues and various churches in the Boston-area. She has performed Russian, Italian, and Yiddish repertoire at Harvard University for concerts sponsored by the Harvard Chinese Students and Scholars Association. She also sings with Big Smile Entertainment and the Very Merry Dickens Carolers. As a conductor and singer, she has performed at such venues as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston), Carnegie Hall (NYC), St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Dorchester), and Riverside Church (NYC). She has a passion for singing Yiddish folk songs, German Lieder, and African American Spirituals. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2001 where she studied with Metropolitan Opera Baritone, Timothy Noble. Following her college studies, she traveled to Italy to train and perform in master classes with Verdi soprano, Antonella Banaudi. She is an active member of National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Greater Boston Choral Consortium. Her students have been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall and she currently teaches at South Shore Conservatory, EKS Music School, and maintains a private in-home studio.
Jen Pearl believes that every single person has the ability to sing and to create something beautiful with their voice. This firm commitment to find the natural voice in every single one of her students informs her teaching on a daily basis. Her technique is based on the bel canto, Italian method of singing, which dates back to the Italian Renaissance, which is a force-free, healthy, and beautiful way of singing, which can begin with children as early as five years old. She works to develop this through emphasis on healthy vocal technique, musical phrasing, ear training, music theory, and working to understand the intention of the composer in the repertoire. While popular culture today is focused upon stardom, talent, and the way you look, Jen's approach is to develop well-rounded musicians which then naturally influences the way one thinks throughout life, whether in school, work, or every day social interaction
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Perfomance, Indiana University (2001)
National Association of Teachers of Singing (since 2016)
Greater Boston Choral Consortium (since 2016)
Board Chair of Schiller NYC Chorus (since June 2020)
Conductor and Founder Schiller Boston Community Chorus (2017)
Jen Pearl loves working with students of all ages and abilities. Her focus is upon young children (starting at age five) and she uses a holistic approach which includes music activities and games, vocal exploration, which also incorporates musical skills which will help students develop as a musician. She also enjoys working with beginner and intermediate adults. For children, she uses the Full Voice Series which fuses solfege, sight-reading, ear-training, and songs, into each activity. For adults, she focuses on proper breathing and speaking techniques which directly influences and improves the way they sing.