IN BARNET

Jenny Bennett BMus(Hons)

Jenny trained as a classical musician on piano and violin from a young age and won a Junior Exhibition Scholarship to the Royal College of Music aged 12, where she studied for 6 years.  She then did a music degree at York University, focussing on composition and piano.

Alongside this training, she immersed herself in the world of pop music.  She worked in the A&R department of Riva Music, performed in pop bands, wrote and recorded songs and performed as a singer/songwriter at venues that included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club and the Marquee Club.  She coupled this with performing as a classical pianist, violinist and musical director in recitals and concerts, and as a composer, writing vocal and instrumental music in a variety of styles.

In 2000 she set up Project Music Workshops, a music education charity bringing pop and gospel style singing to young people across the UK.  As Executive Director, she ran this organisation successfully for 7 years with over 20,000 children and adults taking part in the singing workshops which culminated in mass concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall.  She performed regularly as a choir leader and gospel singer, and during this time she worked extensively with top gospel/pop musicians and vocalists, immersing herself in the gospel styles and techniques.

What sets Jenny apart from other choir directors is the way she has effortlessly crossed the divide between classical, pop, soul, gospel, rock, jazz and even musical theatre (she has written 3 full scale musicals).

Jenny has a thriving piano and music theory teaching practice in Barnet and has also been a peripatetic piano teacher for Barnet Music Services.  She is a consultant and coach to several conductors and orchestras, working with them in the way they educate and communicate through music to their audiences.

Jenny is also a Music Examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.