Jennifer Sparks – Mantra Chantress and Yoga Music Musician
A little bit about myself...
Jennifer Sparks began her musical studies at age five on the piano. Ms. Sparks is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with a specialty in performance. She also has a certificate in voice pedagogy from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio.
With over 30 years as a music educator, Ms. Sparks´experience includes working as a voice instructor at California State University, San Bernardino, a choral director at Pacific High School in San Bernardino and being the owner and one of the instructors for her music school in downtown Redlands, "The Sixth Street School of Music", where she teaches voice, flute, harp and piano. Her other instructors also teach voice, piano, violin, and guitar. It is one of the most distinguished music schools in the Inland Empire and has been at it's current location for over 10 years!
She has taught many music programs for young people, including Triple Threat Academy and Stage Presence Academy in Redlands, Ca. Ms. Sparks has also music directed and coached many shows and musical productions for the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater in Claremont, Ca., The Sturges Theater in San Bernardino, Ca. and The University of Redlands Theater Department in Redlands, Ca.
As a performing vocalist, Ms. Sparks has received recognition for her lyric voice and dramatic artistry performing in opera productions and on the oratorio stage in San Bernardino-Riverside, CA., Los Angeles, CA. and Salt Lake City, Utah, the Nation of Ghana, and Mexico City. She has been a Guest Artist with the Southeast Symphony in Los Angeles, Ca. and also had the honor of performing Faure´s Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. Ms. Sparks received awards for participating in numerous competitions including First Prize at the 1996 National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Voice Competition in Los Angeles and was a District Winner at the 2001 Metropolitan Opera Auditions for the San Bernardino-Riverside/Las Vegas District.
Ms. Sparks is also a professional flutist. She has performed with many orchestras in the Los Angeles area, including the Westside Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Doctor´s Symphony, The Bellflower Symphony and The Southeast Symphony. She also was a guest soloist with The Lounging Shepherds Orchestra, a Jazz / Blues ensemble, at The Reality Ball 1992.
As a professional pianist, Ms. Sparks has performed as an accompanist and a soloist. She accompanied many local High School choirs including San Bernardino, Bloomington and Arrowhead Christian Academy. Ms. Sparks also held the pianist / harpsichordist position with the Southeast Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. As a member of the Highland Avenue Lutheran Church in San Bernardino, Ms. Sparks served in the music ministry as the pianist / organist, the Worship Team leader and the director of the children’s choir for 9 years.
Ms. Sparks furthered her talents in music to include the harp. Since her harp studies began, she has performed for many Weddings, Receptions and Special Events. In 2010, she was a featured musician in the Redlands Magazine.
She currently serves as The Director of Music Ministries at The First Congregational UCC in San Bernardino, where she directs the Chancel Choir, sings within the service, performs in the HandBell Choir, plays the majestic organ and performs on her harp and flute.
Ms. Sparks is also involved with many recording music projects. She has released two CDs - “Vibrations for the Soul” and just recently “A Sunday Afternoon” – both feature Ms. Jennifer as a vocalist, flutist, harpist, pianist and harmonium performer.
Namaste!
With over 30 years as a music educator, Ms. Sparks´experience includes working as a voice instructor at California State University, San Bernardino, a choral director at Pacific High School in San Bernardino and being the owner and one of the instructors for her music school in downtown Redlands, "The Sixth Street School of Music", where she teaches voice, flute, harp and piano. Her other instructors also teach voice, piano, violin, and guitar. It is one of the most distinguished music schools in the Inland Empire and has been at it's current location for over 10 years!
She has taught many music programs for young people, including Triple Threat Academy and Stage Presence Academy in Redlands, Ca. Ms. Sparks has also music directed and coached many shows and musical productions for the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater in Claremont, Ca., The Sturges Theater in San Bernardino, Ca. and The University of Redlands Theater Department in Redlands, Ca.
As a performing vocalist, Ms. Sparks has received recognition for her lyric voice and dramatic artistry performing in opera productions and on the oratorio stage in San Bernardino-Riverside, CA., Los Angeles, CA. and Salt Lake City, Utah, the Nation of Ghana, and Mexico City. She has been a Guest Artist with the Southeast Symphony in Los Angeles, Ca. and also had the honor of performing Faure´s Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. Ms. Sparks received awards for participating in numerous competitions including First Prize at the 1996 National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Voice Competition in Los Angeles and was a District Winner at the 2001 Metropolitan Opera Auditions for the San Bernardino-Riverside/Las Vegas District.
Ms. Sparks is also a professional flutist. She has performed with many orchestras in the Los Angeles area, including the Westside Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Doctor´s Symphony, The Bellflower Symphony and The Southeast Symphony. She also was a guest soloist with The Lounging Shepherds Orchestra, a Jazz / Blues ensemble, at The Reality Ball 1992.
As a professional pianist, Ms. Sparks has performed as an accompanist and a soloist. She accompanied many local High School choirs including San Bernardino, Bloomington and Arrowhead Christian Academy. Ms. Sparks also held the pianist / harpsichordist position with the Southeast Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. As a member of the Highland Avenue Lutheran Church in San Bernardino, Ms. Sparks served in the music ministry as the pianist / organist, the Worship Team leader and the director of the children’s choir for 9 years.
Ms. Sparks furthered her talents in music to include the harp. Since her harp studies began, she has performed for many Weddings, Receptions and Special Events. In 2010, she was a featured musician in the Redlands Magazine.
She currently serves as The Director of Music Ministries at The First Congregational UCC in San Bernardino, where she directs the Chancel Choir, sings within the service, performs in the HandBell Choir, plays the majestic organ and performs on her harp and flute.
Ms. Sparks is also involved with many recording music projects. She has released two CDs - “Vibrations for the Soul” and just recently “A Sunday Afternoon” – both feature Ms. Jennifer as a vocalist, flutist, harpist, pianist and harmonium performer.
Namaste!
