JENNIE BACCANTE VIOLIN STUDIO
Music Is Life
ABOUT ME
Welcome to my violin studio! I am a San Diego, California native, where I earned my Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Southern California Flora Thornton School of Music with Robert C. Lipsett and my Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from The Juilliard School in New York under the tutelage of Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki.
Currently, I am a member of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra in Toronto, Canada, the Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Symphony and perform with the Santa Fe Pro Musica in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have also held positions with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Symphony and have played with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Canadian Opera Company, Detroit Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony and the Toronto Symphony among others.
As an avid orchestral, solo and chamber musician, I have performed with the Tanglewood Music Center and Boston Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, Verbier Festival (Switzerland), La Jolla Chamber Music Society, National Repertory Orchestra, Sarasota Music Festival and the New York String Orchestra Seminar in Carnegie Hall. I also participated in the 2019 Grammy Award winning Best Opera Recording of the Santa Fe Opera’s “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” and in my younger days, I even performed at the MTV Music Video Awards in New York City.
I have had the privilege to work under many renowned conductors like John Fiore, Alan Gilbert, Jaime Laredo, Iván Lopez-Reynoso, Kurt Masur, Mehli and Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, and Leonard Slatkin.
All this to say that while working professionally as a violinist is indeed rewarding, over the past 20 years, I have also had the honor and privilege of teaching some of the most wonderful kids and adults of varying levels and have watched them grow as music appreciators and remarkable human beings. The gift I receive in seeing their excitement, motivation, joy, discipline and love that music brings into their life is priceless.
I perform on a violin made by Nicolas Gilles (Villeneuvette, France) made in 2020; a Samuel Zygmuntowicz (Brooklyn, New York) violin made in 1987, and a bow from American bow maker, Ron Forrester (New York, New York).
When I’m not performing or teaching, I enjoy spending time in the kitchen (being a serious foodie), hanging with friends, watching Korean dramas on Netflix and exploring hiking trails. My husband is Italian/Canadian cellist, Maurizio Baccante, and we perform regularly in Toronto and Santa Fe, and live with our teenaged daughter and family dog, Pepe.
TESTIMONIALS
We wholeheartedly recommend Jennie as a teacher. Jennie is a highly talented and professional violinist, her enthusiasm for music is contagious and her teaching style brings out the curiosity in my daughter, which motivates her to learn.
Jennie is supportive and kind while always maintaining a good balance between challenge and encouragement. Jennie would often play with my daughter to show her how beautiful music are produced.
My daughter loves these moments, she finds them fun and inspiring. We are very happy to have Jennie as our daughter’s teacher.
Phoebe Hoo
Jennie is a great teacher because she knows how to talk to kids, is funny and has cool ways to teach, making learning fun. She has cool flash cards which you can look at to help you learn to read music. She let’s you play the song you’re learning then tells you what you did well and should continue doing but also helps you correct your mistakes. Jennie makes me look forward to every lesson with her! Jennie is the best teacher ever!
Anita Chae
We have always been so thankful to have someone of Jennie’s calibre teach our daughter. Her stellar professional credentials aside, Jennie has an engaging and warm personality — her enthusiasm is contagious and her patient encouragement is so appreciated. She is a wonderful teacher and person and we were so happy that she could be part of our daughter’s life. The skills she teaches go far beyond playing an instrument. She’s a true mentor!
Anne Hancock
Jennie provided my first steps into the world of violin. She challenged me while inspiring me, pushed me while lifting me up, and remained a steadfast supporter of my musicianship even after our time together was over. Jennie frequently provided experiential opportunities to engage in music through various concerts and events, and encouraged students to be creative in their learning and exploration of music. I went on to pursue composition at the undergraduate level and owe much of my drive to pursue music professionally to Jennie’s grounded teaching and mentorship at an early age.
Shreya Jha
LESSON FEES
30 MINUTES
$40
60 MINUTES
$70
STUDIO POLICIES
CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULING
I will accept cancellations of a scheduled lesson 48 hours in advance without penalty. Of course, if there is an emergency or illness under 48 hours prior to the scheduled lesson, I will understand and no lesson fee will be charged.
When I am away for performances out of town, I will let families know far in advance. FaceTime (online) lessons are always an option, to be scheduled at a date convenient for both parties.
Along with regular diligent practicing, I expect a level of discipline, concentration, dedication, good attendance and an eagerness to learn. Without these factors in play, I reserve the right to let a student go.
COVID TIMES
I trust that whoever comes into the studio is healthy as it is easier to play and learn the violin without masking. But please feel free to mask if it makes you more comfortable and I will happily wear a mask during our lesson as well.
Resources and Links
Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Violin Shop of Santa Fe www.violinshopofsantafe.com
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Robertson and Sons Violin Shop www.robertsonviolins.com
New York, New York: Rare Violins of New York www.rvny.com
New York, New York: Ron Forrester, American Bow Maker www.forresterbows.com
Villeneuvette, France: Nicolas Gilles, Luthier www.luthier-gilles.com
National Ballet of Canada: https://national.ballet.ca/Homepage
Santa Fe Opera: www.santafeopera.org