Jennifer Reason
Hailed as a pianist "in the league of Carnegie Hall," a "rising star" whose playing is "lush, sensual and colorful: like a painting" (Sulzbach-Rosenberger, Germany), and a "powerhouse" (Victor Forman, CapRadio) who possesses an "extraordinary skill" (D. Frantztreb, S.C.C.), Jennifer Reason is a vibrant young performer in consistent demand, and the recipient of Sacramento Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Award for 2016. She gave her first solo recital at the age of 5, and had acquired her first Staff Pianist position by the tender age of 12. She has since gone on to appear in solo and ensemble performances across Europe, the United States and Canada.
A widely versatile and experienced musician, Jennifer is an adept pianist and vocalist in a variety of genres. Recently she completed her 9th international festival tour, including twice appearing as a soloist to critical acclaim at the Interharmony International Music Festival in Germany, as well as at the Schlern and Orfeo International Music Festivals in Italy. She has also twice appeared in an ensemble setting at Carnegie Hall, as well as the Vatican, the Liszt Academy in Hungary, and the international Festival of Peace and Brotherhood in Italy.
Jennifer received her BM in Piano Performance at California State University - Sacramento under the tutelage of renowned Steinway Artist Richard Cionco. She has since gone on to develop a passion for collaborative performance and co-founded the 9 year old modern chamber sextet Citywater, currently Ensemble-in-Residence at CSU - Sacramento. (www.citywatermusic.com) Her collaborative interests expand well beyond her classical roots however, so in addition to classical heavyweights like Hope Briggs (San Francisco Opera), Steven Mackey (Composer-in-Residence, Princeton) and composer John Rutter, she has also shared the stage with such diverse acts as rockers Jonathan Cain (Journey), Michael Carabello (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Santana) and Jerry Martini (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sly and the Family Stone), Broadway stars Eugene Brancoveanu (Tony Award), Faith Prince (Tony Award) and Jason Graae, as well as popular personalities such as Billy Bob Thornton, baseball's Tony La Russa and Governor Jerry Brown. Her latest collaborative project, a mash-up band by the name The ReAssemblers of Whimsy, has just been appointed Ensemble-in-Residence with the Townsend Opera Company.
Jennifer has shown herself to be an accomplished music director as well as performer, having made her international conducting debut in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City in early 2014. She is currently the Artistic Director for the Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace, a 16-voice a capella ensemble who donates 100% of their proceeds to underfunded charities nationwide. (www.rsvpchoir.org), as well as the recently appointed Music Director of the Rogue Music Project, a music collective formed to challenge current perceptions of opera through unpredictable, adventurous, and socially conscious performances. She has also acted as music director, vocal coach, and lead keyboardist to over 30 theater productions, notably including the world premiere of Max Understood, a musical aiming to raise autism awareness (produced by Paul Dresher and directed by David Schweizer), and the Bay Area premiere and adaption of Disney's Shakespeare in Love (Marin Theatre Co, directed by Jasson Minadakis).
When not performing, Jennifer enjoys working as a freelance session player with Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, as well as maintaining an accomplished private studio. Her students have been accepted on scholarship to collegiate music programs such as the Hartt School of Music, University of North Texas, University of Miami Frost School of Music, CSU Long Beach, CSU - Sacramento, William Jessup University and Cosumnes River College. To round out her endeavors, you can hear her on Capitol Public Radio as the Midday Classical Host, 88.9FM.
Jennifer is currently residing in California.