Hi, I’m Jennifer “Jenny” Walls (she/they)—a violinist, multi-instrumentalist, leadership scholar, educator and coach with a deep love for the arts and a belief in learning through creativity and confidence.
I began my musical journey at age seven in Southern Maryland and quickly fell in love with the expressive power of the violin. By eleven, I was studying under the mentorship of Adina Vallandingham, violinist of Kassia Music Ensemble and The National Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to train with outstanding musicians and educators across the U.S. and beyond, including Maestro Simone Tartaglione, Vladimir Lande, Jose Cueto, Julien Benichou, Inez Redman, and Benjamin Smith. Their influence helped shape both my musical technique and my commitment to artistic growth.
My Life in Music
My musical experiences have taken me from classical concert stages to folk festivals, collaborative chamber ensembles, and beyond. I’ve performed with groups like COSMIC Symphony, Blue Ridge Orchestra, the UNCA Scholarship String Quartet, Endless Fields, Aspen Trio, and Brooklyn Rider. While classical music is my foundation, my playing is also shaped by pop, electronic, avant-garde, bluegrass, old-time, and traditional Irish influences.
Lately, my personal development focuses on improvisation-based folk-fusion fiddle playing and traditional Irish music—styles that challenge me to be present, creative, and connected to others in spontaneous ways.
My Teaching Journey
I began teaching in 2016 during my junior year of high school, and what started as a side project quickly grew into a lifelong calling. I love working with students of all ages and backgrounds, helping them find their voice through music while building skills that go far beyond the instrument. My teaching emphasizes process over perfection, encouraging self-expression, confidence, and curiosity.
My teaching doesn’t stop at the music stand. Above all, I’m passionate about education in all sectors, but have a particular interest in leadership, business, and professional development, especially in youth and emerging professionals.
Through my studies, coaching work, I help students, friends, and clients cultivate transferable skills like communication, adaptability, collaboration, and intentional decision-making.
Education and Philosophy
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2021. At UNCA I was given the opportunity to explore my love of research, and in addition to my performance based studies, explored research in music theory, compositional aesthetics, musicology, and ethnomusicology.
I’m currently completing a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University (expected 2025), where my capstone research explores the links between music education and leadership skill development.
My teaching and coaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that learning should be empowering, human-centered, and above all joyful.
I aim to meet students where they are and empower them to them grow into who they’re becoming-whether that’s as a musician, leader, or creative thinker.
If you’re a student, a parent, potential coaching client or a fellow educator, I’m so glad you’re here. Feel free to explore my educational resources, musical projects, or get in touch to learn more.
Jennifer E. Walls 