Jennifer Thomas (pianist)

Jennifer Thomas
Background information
Born (1977-06-23) June 23, 1977[1]
Origin Seattle, Washington, United States
Genres Classical, crossover, new-age.
Instruments Piano, violin
Labels Independent
Website www.jenniferthomasmusic.com

Jennifer Thomas (born June 23, 1977) is a multi award winning American pianist, violinist, composer, performing artist, and recording artist. She was classically trained at Brigham Young University-Idaho,[2] and started composing in 2003, later releasing her first debut album in 2007. Thomas has issued four albums, the latest 'Winter Symphony' released in November 2015.[3][4]

Thomas is known for writing and performing piano-centered orchestral music from classical music to classical music crossover and cinematic orchestral. While most of her works are original, she also covers classical pieces as well as pop music and movie soundtracks. Thomas has also composed film scores, where she won the Gold Medal of Excellence in the 2011 Park City Film Music Festival for "Music in a Short Film" [5] as well as a 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Film Score for Documentary/Short".[6]

In 2012 Thomas was named Classical Crossover UK's "Female Artist of the Year".[7]

Thomas' third album, "Illumination" won "Album of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" at the 2013 IMC Awards.[8][9] In October 2015 "Illumination" also won the "Classical Song of the Year" International Music and Entertainment Association Award [10] and the Enlightened Piano Radio Award for "Best piano album with instrumentation" at Carnegie Hall New York City - where she performed live at the awards ceremony.[11]

Winter Symphony - Jennifer Thomas (pianist) album Thomas' fourth album was released in November 2015. Mixed by 5 time Grammy Award winner Brian Vibberts, contributors included Ricky Kej and Taylor Davis (violinist). Following the album release, Thomas performed concerts at Salt Lake City, Atascocita, Texas and the Benaroya Hall Seattle.[2] The album has received many favorable reviews and during 2016 won several prestigious awards.

Discography

Albums:

Thomas also features on the following albums;

Film and TV

List:

Awards and nominations

Year Category Work Result Ref
2016 Holiday Album of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards Winter Symphony Won

[36]

2016 Classical Artist of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards Winter Symphony Nominated [37]
2016 Classical Song of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards Winter Symphony Won

[38]

2016 Music Video of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards Carol of the Bells Nominated [39]
2016 Global Peace Song Awards - Opera/Classical Eventide Won - Public Vote [40]
2016 Global Peace Song Awards - A Cappella/ChoralAlleluia Won - Jury Vote [41]
2016 Best Music Video - Utah Music Awards Carol of the Bells Nominated [42]
2016 Best Cinematography in a Music Video - Utah Music Awards Carol of the Bells (cinematographer Tel Stewart) Won [43]
2016 Best Original Instrumental Song - Utah Music Awards Winter Symphony Nominated [42]
2016 Best in Holiday Genre - Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Won [44]
2016 Best LIVE Classical Performance (Live at Benaroya Hall)- Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Won [45]
2016 Music Video of the Year Award (Alleluia) - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Won [46]
2016 Best Classical Music Video (Over $5,000) - Alleluia - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Won [47]
2016 Best Female Classical Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Nominated [48]
2016 Best Classical Song - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Nominated [48]
2016 Holiday Album of the Year - Enlightened Piano Radio Awards Winter Symphony Nominated [49]
2016 Global Music Awards 2016 Winter Symphony Silver Medal [50]
2016 Album of the Year - Top 20 of 2015 Music Critic Michael Debbage Winter Symphony Won [51]
2015 Classical Song of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Awards Illumination Won [52]
2015 Best Orchestral Piano Album - Enlightened Piano Radio Awards Illumination Won [53]
2013 Album of the Year - Indie Music Channel Awards Illumination Won [8]
2013 Artist of the Year - Indie Music Channel Awards Illumination Won [54]
2013 Best Soundtrack Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards Illumination Won [55]
2013 Best Classical Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards Illumination Won [56]
2013 Best Neo-Classical Album - ZMR Awards Illumination Nominated [57]
2012 Top Female Artist of the Year - Classical Crossover UK Illumination Won [7]
2012 The Indie Award - Classical Crossover UK Illumination Won [58]
2012 Best Original Score - Hollywood Music in Media Awards Minuet Won [59]
2012 Best Contemporary/Orchestral Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards Illumination Nominated [60]
2012 Piano Heaven UK Illumination Won [61]
2012 Best Classical Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards Moonlight Nominated [62]
2011 Best Classical Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards Toccata and Fugue (Illumination) Nominated [63]
2011 Gold Medal of Excellence - Park City Film Music Festival Minuet Won [5]
2008 Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards - Audience Vote Award Fly Away Won [64]
2007 Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards - Digital Film Release Won [65]

Early life

Thomas was born in Seattle, Washington (state). She got her first toy piano at the age of 3, and began formal lessons on both the piano and violin at the age of 5, under the tutelage of her mother, Carolyn Southworth.[9] Her brothers also learned piano, violin, and cello from their mother. Jennifer and her older brother played in grade school orchestras, with Southworth as a conductor's assistant. Thomas continued to train classically, and was involved in many recitals and piano adjudications through her teen years. She played with various youth orchestras and high school orchestras. She performed at her high school graduation, and later went to Brigham Young University-Idaho.[9]

At Brigham Young University-Idaho, Thomas studied piano under Professor Stephen Allen. She was a member of the university's Piano Ensemble group, accompanied the College choir and many vocal/instrumental students, as well as played violin in the university symphony. Thomas also competed in the University's Concerto Competition, where she took 2nd place performing the Piano Concerto No. 3 (Prokofiev).[9]

After college graduation, Thomas moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and was a regular performer with the Temple Square Concert Series, and played violin in the Murray, Utah Symphony Orchestra. While performing with the Murray Symphony, Thomas was a featured soloist on the Edward MacDowell Piano Concerto No.2.[66] She eventually moved to Northwest, where she performed as a violinist with the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and worked for the Seattle Symphony in the Education Department. It was during her time working for the Seattle Symphony when she started composing her own original music.

Personal life

Thomas is married to Will Thomas, an ultra-marathon competitor who, in 2015, competed in the 106 mile race Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France. Together, they have three children and reside in the Seattle Washington (state) area.[9]

References

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  2. 1 2 "Her sounds of the season - Sequim Gazette". Sequim Gazette. Sound Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
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External links

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