Jennifer Yang, Organist

I, Jennifer Yang, was born in Seoul, Korea. Growing up as a child my imagination would run wild as I would tap away on chairs, tables, and walls. From the start I always knew the passion and desire towards music, specifically involving the piano, was something that had been fueled in me. It was not until the age of five I took it upon myself to ask my parents' permission to begin piano lessons. They happily agreed as I unknowingly began the paving of a new path ahead of me. I kickstarted my journey at the age of nine where I was appointed as an accompanist for a children's ministry. Here was where I officially came to the realization of the talents and blessings God bestowed upon me, where it was not only recognizable within but through my surrounding community as well. My joy towards playing exponentially grew as I became an organist during my highschool career. Later on I would become a graduate of Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, where I would receive my Bachelors of Arts degree in organ performance. Ah, I can still recall my first lesson. The hymn “Oh Faithful Lord” still plays in the back of my mind as I recall my dad encouraging me to make a declaration in serving God for the rest of my life, wholeheartedly, because of the musical abilities he has gifted me with. For this reason, after two semesters of graduate study at Yonsei University, I came to the U.S.A, where I would complete my Master’s degree in organ performance at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, under the tutelage of Alan Morrison. In 1996, I would become a certified piano teacher for Music Teacher (LLC). In addition, I would be awarded as a second prize winner of the 2003 and 2007 graduate organ competition and a recipient of the 2008 Alexander McCurdy Scholarship. I was given opportunities to work with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Gustav Mahler’s 8th Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand) under the baton of Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. Moreover, other performances included being an accompanist in the NJ Conservatory of Music as well as having solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and choir concerts in Australia, Deutschland, Netherlands, New York, New Jersey, and Korea.