The Music Bio of Megan Jenifer

"A Voice Not Limited To Melodies and Harmonies Shouting Unity and Peace in the Community."

It is the mission of String Presence to use the universal language of music to touch, heal and nurture humanity. The belief that the environment shapes the being insists that constants of love, compassion, patience, respect, consideration and giving are a must for a life full of purpose, enrichment and abundance. This mission is not only aligned with the philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki, but the Creator and Most High. String Presence is committed to perpetuating these values in the community through two primary avenues: Education and nurturing of the whole family through the Suzuki Violin School using Dr. Suzuki’s Mother Tongue approach, and through service by providing music that touches the spirit during any occasion, event, or function where humanity can all be on common ground.

"I've never met a musician who regretted being one. Whatever obstacles life may
bring, music itself will not let you down."

-Virgil Thompson
An American Composer

Megan Jenifer, violinist and educator, is the owner of String Presence Academy, Suzuki Violin Studio. Megan has been in the music business for her lifetime and is committed to the Suzuki philosophy of education. She studied formally for several years through the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program under Mr. & Mrs. Lynn McClain. Megan received both a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Engineering Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Hampton University. While at Hampton, she helped develop the first and only all student-based African American HBCU orchestra under the guidance of Jerry Bracey. In addition to her role as a founding member, she was also concertmistress of the H.U. Chamber Orchestra and String Ensemble. She was featured with the Jazz Ensemble and was a participant in the Virginia Symphony Minority Fellowship Program. Megan also participated in the H.U. Community Orchestra under the direction of Dr. James Herbison. She was the first violinist in the Peninsula String Quartet. Megan was also a staff teacher in the Hampton University Music Program during the summer months where she taught beginning piano, voice and electric bass. She received awards for outstanding achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts Department in 1997 and the Department of Music in 1999.

Megan is a registered Suzuki Violin instructor with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), where she received her initial training from Ronda Cole. Currently, she conducts lessons at Quality Music Center in Chesapeake, VA and her home in Hampton, VA. She has taught formally at Tidewater Adventist Academy in Chesapeake, The Celestial School of the Arts in Hampton, Music Art and Mind in Virginia Beach and the Jubal Arts Center in Suffolk, VA. Megan currently studies with Jorge Aguirre of the Virginia Symphony. She is a member of the Suzuki Teachers Association of Hampton Roads (STAHR), American String Teacher’s Association, the Music Teacher’s National Association, The South Eastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA) and the SAA.

Dunamis Christian Center is her church home under the leadership of Pastor James T. Elam. At Dunamis, Megan previously served as the violinist in the music ministry. Megan is also a violinist/violist and the coordinator of Radiance String Ensembles. She is part of the Strings & Things network under Nina Buzby. She has performed with Aida Strings , Musica D’Archi and Grace Notes for various engagements throughout the Hampton Roads area.

Megan has also branched out into Kindermusik and is currently teaching ABC Music and Me classes at the Hampton Roads Montessori School in Newport News, VA, and the New Galilee Early Childhood Development Center in Chesapeake, VA.

In her spare time, Megan enjoys dancing as a company member with Suwabi African Ballet, serving as a volunteer with the d'Zert Club, and arranging some of her student’s original compositions for an upcoming anthology entitled Key Kollections™, which she plans to self-publish. She also enjoys writing, making pottery, visual arts and sewing.