Discover Your Passion!
My Story
A Natural Music Teacher
I started my musical journey when I was just 6 years old. I still remember that day vividly as if it were yesterday. There was a knock at my door and standing outside my front porch was my grandmother with a piano that she had bought for me. That moment completely changed my life and its path.
I was a shy kid, some my find that hard to believe, but personal expression was never easy for me. I lacked confidence and didn’t always feel like I fit in. Music changed that for me. I often found that my time at the piano or singing gave me the outlet and perfect opportunity to express all of what was going on on the inside. It connected me with people and helped me make friends. It also built my confidence and gave me a good sense of self. My teacher, Mr. Walter Baker, was someone I will never forget. He gave me everything. He was dedicated, tough, loving and just an overall beautiful human. He was my teacher for my first 15 years of study and gave me my amazing foundation in music.
When I headed off to University I decided that I wanted to be a professional musician. I studied both singing, opera to be exact, and also piano. Those two instruments became the magic combination for me. After graduate school in 1998 I decided to move to New York City and make a go of it as a vocal coach. For 15 years I had the most amazing career imaginable. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the greatest singers in the opera and musical theater business. I was blessed to work at the Metropolitan Opera as a Score Consultant for their “Live in HD” Series and worked in other opera houses all over the country such as the Dallas Opera, Seattle Opera and Santa Fe Opera. I worked on producing new works and coached some of the greatest voices out there.
In 2013 I moved to Phoenix Arizona and opened my own music studio “Jennifer Hoppe Studios” where I taught both voice and piano. I also continued on with my voice coaching and played in the orchestra for Arizona Opera. I continued my work in New York when I could and also taught at Grand Canyon University.
In 2017 my husband and I decided to move to Italy. He is originally from Salerno, Italia and had a dream of always opening his own pizzeria, so we did! We had an extremely successful business, I learned how to make a really good pizza, and really enjoyed our life. Unfortunately Covid 19 changed plans for us in 2021. They always say “life is what happens while you are making plans” and plans definitely do change. It is good to be back though and I am so happy to have my studio back up and running!
Bio
Jennifer Hoppe, pianist, is an active teacher and pianist based in Phoenix, Arizona. Since moving to Phoenix in 2013, Ms. Hoppe has worked as a pianist with the Arizona Opera Orchestra and also as principal pianist of the Phoenix Boys Choir. This season Ms. Hoppe is the pianist/musical director for the Arizona Opera OperaTunity Program which brings an adapted version of Rossini’s Cenerentola and Massenet’s Cendrillon to Title 1 schools in the greater Phoenix area. In the winter of 2016 she was on coaching staff at Opera Works in Los Angeles, California. Since 2010, Ms. Hoppe has been on the Metropolitan Opera staff as a score consultant for their "Live in HD" Series. In the same season, she joined the staff of the Dallas Opera for their production of Romeo and Juliet. During her 15 years in New York City, Ms. Hoppe maintained a private coaching studio and was also on the music staffs of the Seattle Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Tulsa Opera and Glimmerglass Opera. She has also taught at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, the Westchester Summer Vocal Arts Institute and the Intermezzo Young Artist Development Program.
Ms. Hoppe, previously an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix has also been an adjunct professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Education and has been on staff at the Mannes College of Music. She has also been a performer on the Tuesday Musical Concert Series in Omaha Nebraska, the Donnell Library Concert Series and the MOSA Concert Series in NYC, the Tappen Zee Music Festival and the Town and Gown Concert Series in New Jersey. In 2006 and 2007 she was heard on the Joey Reynolds Show, WOR Radio, NY, with Dicapo Opera Theatre.
Ms. Hoppe is a member of the MTNA, ASMTA, NATS and the PMTA. She holds Master of Music Degrees in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Performance from Arizona State University and the University of Connecticut, respectively.
Lessons
Strengthening Existing Skills
I offer a range of classes and courses for all levels and interests. I bring a wealth of experience to the studio and enable students to gain a solid understanding in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. To find out more, check out the options below.
Piano Lessons
When you sign up for my Piano Lessons, you can be assured of plenty of individual attention and focus. Each lesson involves an element of learning and theory but the majority of the class is devoted to putting that theory into practice. Get in touch to find out more.
Voice Lessons
I design each lesson I offer according to my students’ abilities, and make the necessary changes once I become more familiar with their needs. If you want to learn more about this unique approach, schedule a meeting today.