Jacqui earned their Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance from Oberlin Conservatory in 2022, graduating as a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society and receiving prestigious accolades including the Pi Kappa Lambda Award for Musicianship, the Theodore Presser Undergraduate Award, and a Flint Initiative Grant. Their innovative spirit was highlighted as a featured soloist with the Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, where they premiered a concerto for singing violist. Jacqui also held principal positions in the Oberlin Orchestra and the New England Conservatory Philharmonia. Furthering their expertise, Jacqui received a Master of Music in Contemporary Musical Arts from the New England Conservatory in Spring of 2024, studying with esteemed musicians such as Eden Macadam-Somer, Carla Kihlstedt, Lautaro Mantilla, Liz Knowles, and Ted Reichman.

Jacqui is a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist, and improviser with an omnivorous approach to music-making. Their studies with musicians from across the globe, ranging from West African djembefolas to Irish fiddlers, reflect a passion for patching together diverse musical traditions through creative dialogue.

What Jacqui enjoys most about teaching music is providing students with the tools that help to not only expand their horizons on their instrument(s), but that also increase their confidence, their facility, and their excitement about the music-making process either through independent practice or collaboration with others. They believe that music education can look many different ways and that there is definitely not a one-size-fits-all method. Jacqui crafts a tailored educational environment that balances each student’s needs and interests, while building a strong technical foundation and encouraging students to step out of their comfort zone, “because that’s where a lot of the magic/growth happens!” They emphasize the shared journey of learning: “I believe we all have so much to learn from each other, and we are all forever students of our craft. It is a privilege to get to share in that process with others, no matter their level, their goals, or their musical preferences.”

A classically trained string player, Jacqui recently embraced old-time and bluegrass music, even winning their first fiddle competition last fall. Their primary musical project is “almost olive,” a duo where Jacqui is the singer/songwriter, guitarist, and fiddle player. They have an EP titled “almost album” and enjoy performing around New England.