Open to opportunities

Jennifer Gillis

@jennifergillis

Dedicated vocal music educator and voice instructor who builds strong singers through technique, theory, and inspired direction.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a music-education role where I can teach voice, direct ensembles, and strengthen musicianship through music theory, thoughtful classroom management, and an engaging performance-centered approach. I thrive in teams that value student growth.

I’m a vocal music educator with extensive teaching experience across middle school, high school, higher education, and private instruction. I currently teach voice and piano, direct vocal ensembles, and guide students in both performance and musicianship.

In my classrooms and studios, I focus on confident fundamentals—beginning through advanced choir work, voice coaching, and piano class instruction with multiple sections and varied levels. I also support music growth through AP Music Theory and Music Appreciation, helping learners translate concepts into real musical choices.

Beyond day-to-day teaching, I bring structured pedagogy and professional learning into my practice through Kodaly Certification Levels 1-3 and IB MYP Arts Music: Category 2. I’ve also completed AVID Digital XP training and Hybrid Instructor Training, strengthening how I deliver instruction in-person and online.

I’m especially proud of the impact I’ve made as a Musical Director and choir leader, as well as my academic background with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice and graduate teaching experience at The University of Oklahoma. I bring a performance-driven mindset to education, pairing technical clarity with artistry and student motivation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Adjunct Music Professor

Current

Oklahoma City Community College

Jan 2017 - Present (9 years 4 months)

Taught music appreciation in-person and online at the higher-education level.

Music Education Higher Education Teaching Lesson planning Student Assessment Instructional Support

Current

Voice and Piano Instructor

Current

Private Studio

Jan 2015 - Present (11 years 4 months)

Provided individual voice and piano instruction, supporting students through personalized lessons and performance-focused coaching.

Private Voice Lessons Piano Instruction Vocal Technique Coaching Performance Preparation

Current

Cantor & Staff Singer

Current

Christ the King Catholic Church

Jan 2015 - Present (11 years 4 months)

Served as cantor and staff singer, leading vocal music for church services and supporting the music ministry.

Cantor Duties Vocal Performance Liturgical Music Choral Collaboration Service Music Leadership

Current

Vocal Music Teacher

Current

Classen School of Advanced Studies

Taught middle school choir (beginning, advanced, and tenor-bass) and managed piano instruction with two sections of 15 students.

Vocal Coaching Choir Direction Piano Instruction Tenor Bass Ensemble Leadership Student Assessment Classroom Management

Musical Director

Rosary Catholic School

Jan 2022 - Jan 2025 (3 years)

Led school music as musical director and supported ongoing music programs through instruction and direction.

Music Program Leadership Choir Ensemble Coaching Lesson planning Curriculum Support

Vocal Music Teacher

Harding Charter Preparatory High School

Jan 2020 - Jan 2025 (5 years)

Taught beginning and advanced choir and delivered piano instruction across three sections of 20 students; coached students in AP Music Theory, achieving a 60% pass rate among test-takers.

Choir Direction Piano Instruction AP Music Theory Humanities Music Appreciation Student Assessment Classroom Management

Wedding & Funeral Cantor

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Jan 2015 - Jan 2020 (5 years)

Provided vocal service as cantor for weddings and funerals and supported worship music needs for church events.

Cantor Duties Wedding Music Preparation Funeral Music Preparation Vocal Performance Service Coordination Liturgical Support

Music Teacher & Choir Director

Rosary Catholic School

Jan 2015 - Jan 2020 (5 years)

Taught general music to early childhood through grade 5 and directed the middle school choir.

Elementary General Music Middle School Choir Direction Vocal Training Student Engagement Lesson planning

Voice Graduate Teaching Assistant

The University of Oklahoma

Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 (1 year)

Supported voice instruction, including beginning voice teaching for non-music majors, as part of graduate teaching responsibilities.

Voice Pedagogy Beginning Voice Instruction Vocal Technique Lesson Delivery Student Support Classroom Instruction

Voice Graduate Teaching Assistant

School of Music, The University of Oklahoma

Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 (1 year)

Assisted with voice instruction responsibilities during graduate teaching, supporting course delivery and student learning.

Classroom Instruction Student Coaching Lesson planning Vocal Technique Focus

Soloist & Section Leader

Infinity Music Arts Academy

Jan 2013 - Jan 2015 (2 years)

Served as a soloist and section leader, supporting ensemble performance through rehearsal leadership and vocal execution.

Solo Performance Section Leadership Vocal Performance

Chorus Singer

Brook Fine Arts Academy

Jan 2012 - Jan 2013 (1 year)

Performed as a chorus singer, contributing to ensemble rehearsals and choral performances.

Choral Performance Team Collaboration

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

The University of Oklahoma

Doctor of Musical Arts, Voice

2015 - 2018

Completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice at The University of Oklahoma. Dissertation work on the soubrette character in 18th- and 19th-century opera buffa and singspiel was nominated for the Provost’s Ph.D. Dissertation Prize (2018–2019).