Jess Dickinson

Jessica's musical education started at the age of eight, when she studied piano in Newton, Kansas. Then three years later she began to study the cello in middle school with Susan Mayo. Her principle teachers since then have been Dr. Andrew Kolb and Jeffrey Lastrapes. She is a student of Alison Wells, first at the Cleveland Institute of Music before transferring to Peabody Conservatory to continue study. During various summer music festivals Jessica has studied with Wesley Baldwin, Matt Haimovitz, Melissa Kraut, Thomas Landschoot, and Richard Weiss. As a chamber musician, Jessica has studied with Michael Kannen, Maria Lambros, Merry Peckham, Peter Salaff, Mari Sato, and Alison Wells.
Jessica has been a member of several orchestras, including the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Quartz Mountain Chamber Orchestra, the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra, the World Orchestra at the Interlochen Arts Camp where she performed alongside Sarah Chang, the Imani Winds, and several renowned conductors, among others. She was a finalist in the Music Teachers National Association regional competition. As the winner of the Anderson Concerto Competition she performed the Boccherini cello concerto with the Hutchinson Symphony.
Community outreach and inspiring musical interest in kids and adults has always been very important for Jessica. Since her first chamber group, a cello quartet in high school, she has been presenting music in schools and the community. The cello studio at Peabody with Alison Wells has gone to local high schools to perform Villa Lobos Bacchianas Brasilieras and to give masterclasses. On her own, she has received a grant from Peabody to create projects that involve combining visual art with music at an elementary school of Baltimore's BRIDGES program. She has also been Peabody's Creative Access volunteer of the month in 2009.
At the age of 22, Jessica will begin to pursue a Masters degree in Cello performance in the fall of 2010 at the Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford on full scholarship. At the Hartt School Jessica will be part of their honors chamber program, Performance 20-20. She will continue her love of chamber music performance while seeking out new interests such as contemporary music and creative collaborative projects.

Anniversaries, Apres Ski Parties, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings...and more.

• Jess was very professional and played wonderful music for our wedding. I would recommend her for any type of event. She helped to make our special day absolutely perfect! -- D Ryan S, Washingtonville, NY, 9/4/2010
• I was very pleased having Jess play at my wedding. It was one thing that I knew I didn't need to worry about and the guests were very happy! -- Michelle T, Westport, MA, 9/18/2010
• I hired Jess and a classical guitarist for my wedding. Jess was very flexible and arrived punctually; we even confused a part in the ceremony, but she handled it very professionally. The music was beautiful. I would recommend Jess to anyone I know. -- Sarah G, Kingston, NY, 5/15/2011
• Jess was amazing. From my first communication with her, she was ready to put together ceremony music that was perfect for the occasion. She played all of our music with the cello and flute hand-in-hand beautifully creating sound for our perfect day. When I walked down the "aisle" in the field, and heard her play, my eyes teared up. She made our day unique and incredibly accented. I would recommend her over and over again! If only I could have my wedding day all over again!!! Thank you JESS!!!! -- Melanie F, Meriden, CT, 5/12/2012

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