Jane Jessamine has spent her life immersed in music. At the young age of five, Jane began her formal music training, but even before she could form full sentences, she was inseparable from the piano. Her sister, twelve years her senior, was taking lessons, and Jane—having just learned to walk—would waddle around the piano, interrupting practice sessions. When she was finally allowed to begin her own musical training, her love of music was cemented.

She has since dedicated herself to musical training, for others and herself, in equal parts.

Jane studied piano for fourteen years with Kelli Brown Stephens, completing the Oregon Music Teachers Association’s Level 10 Syllabus curriculum under her guidance. By eight, she had also taken up the harp under the guidance of Marion Fouse, a pioneering harpist on the West Coast. She played as principal harpist of the Portland Youth Philharmonic under the baton of David Hattner, performing multiple times at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. At fourteen, she studied abroad in Germany with harpist Gesine Dreyer in Hamburg, an experience that deepened her connection to European classical music traditions.

Despite her early enthusiasm, Jane’s path as a performer was nearly derailed by a repetitive stress injury from overuse. Forced to step away from harp and piano playing, she turned to teaching, founding a private music studio in 2015. It was in this role that she discovered her passion for mentoring students of all ages.

Jane previously earned degrees in Liberal Studies and Philosophy before returning to music, having initially set aside formal performance studies because of injury. Her return to performance was made possible by the Taubman Approach, which she studied at the Golandsky Institute at Princeton University in the summers of 2017 and 2018. This technique not only restored her ability to play without pain but also transformed her teaching. She has since used her knowledge to help students (including older adults with arthritis) develop healthy, injury-free technique.

Jane continued her piano studies with Dr. Hana Lim at George Fox University, whose mentorship helped refine her technique and artistry before auditioning for entrance into a competitive collegiate music program. She was accepted and is currently completing a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance at Portland State University, studying under Dr. Julia Lee (piano) and Denise Fujikawa (harp). She has participated in masterclasses and performances through PSU’s School of Music and Theatre, earning praise for her growing artistry and technical command.

As a performer, Jane plays both as a soloist and in collaboration with her sister, with whom she has performed professionally since 2012. Their duo has provided music for weddings, memorials, conferences, and orchestral performances. She also serves as a church organist and accompanist, maintaining an active role in Portland’s musical community.

Jane’s journey from injured musician to accomplished performer and educator has given her a unique perspective on resilience in the arts. She remains committed to bringing the joy of music to everyone, whether through performance, teaching, or sharing her love of classical music on social media.

For inquiries, please email janejessamine@outlook.com.