Jenny Oaks Baker String Workshop
What is the Jenny Oaks Baker String Workshop?
The JOB String Workshop is a unique opportunity for violinists and cellists of all ages and levels to study beautifully arranged music with Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Cellist Sarah Baker. And new this year we welcome violists to study with Melissa Draper, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and current viola faculty member at Snow College.
The JOB String Workshop takes place one week during the summer and includes options for song workshops, private lessons, dynamic lectures and a final concert at the end.
-
Workshops are taught in person in a group setting, divided by instrument and skill level ranging from beginner to advanced. Each workshop lasts between 60 to 75 minutes. Musicians are expected to learn their selected repertoire in advance so they are performance-ready by the time their workshop(s) begins (preferably music will be memorized).
During workshops, musicians will explore technique, musicality, artistic expression and collaboration.
Workshop week also includes seminars full of dynamic topics taught by Workshop Instructors and sometimes a guest speaker. These are usually presented in a forum setting with specialty note pages provided to each participant.
-
Workshops are taught by Jenny (violin) and Sarah Baker (cello). Guest artists are included as well.
For the 2025 JOB String Workshop, viola players are invited to study with Melissa Draper.
Read full bios here.
-
Violin and Cello Workshops are hosted at a local performance venue in the Salt Lake area.
The 2025 Workshops will be hosted at Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center.
-
Workshops and seminars start at the beginning of the day and finish in the late afternoon or early evening with short breaks in between sessions, and a lunch break at mid-day.
Workshop Participants should first register, then build their own schedule by purchasing individual workshops, seminars or private lessons.
All participants join in a final concert at the end of the week. Family and friends are invited to purchase tickets and enjoy a wonderful production by workshop participants and special performances by Jenny and members of Family Four.
Click here to view the 2024 JOB Performance Workshop schedule as an example.
-
The JOB Performance Workshop is designed for any musician with a desire to play beautiful music and learn from masters of the art. Participants range in age from 5 to to 95! Whether you're a budding beginner, an adult learner or a seasoned intermediate/advanced player, we have a place for you.
“I have been able to be part of Jenny’s workshops several times and they have been such a joy to be involved in! Jenny is a true performer, one who connects, inspires, mesmerizes, and tells a story through her music to the audience. The classes themselves don’t feel like work either. It is so fun and motivating to be surrounded by other hardworking musicians and to learn from Jenny.”
2025 Workshop Repertoire and Seminar Topics will be announced in January
Violin and Viola Workshops
Violinists and Violists first register for Workshop Week, then build their own schedule by purchasing workshops and seminars based on their current skill level and interests. Workshops are taught in a group setting and will review technique, musicality and ensemble skills. Violin and Viola workshops usually run 60 minutes and are open to all ages and skill levels. Musicians should bring their own instrument, sheet music and music stand, preferably a black stand that is sturdy.
Private Lessons (Violin, Viola or Cello)
Private lessons are an excellent strategy for receiving one-on-one instruction on your particular instrument. Lessons can range from 30 to 60 minutes and will be catered to your or your child’s interests. We encourage all participants to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from Workshop Instructors.
Cello Workshops
Cellists first register for Workshop Week, then build their own schedule by purchasing workshops and seminars based on their current skill level and interests. Workshops are taught in a group setting and will review technique, musicality and ensemble skills. Cello workshops usually run 60 minutes and are open to all ages and skill levels. Cellos should bring their own instrument, sheet music, sturdy music stand, rock stop and — for small players — small stool.
Enrichment Seminars and Master Classes
The Enrichment Seminars or Master Classes vary in topic and length. Often, guest speakers come to share a unique perspective about a musical topic. Participants will receive insightful lectures ranging from music composition to bow hand techniques to tips on navigating a career in music.
“I learned so much in my half hour with Jenny. She quickly put me at ease, gave me some wonderful pointers and taught me more than music. Thank you Jenny! I’m looking forward to another lesson next year!”
“Our family loves attending the Jenny Oaks Baker Workshop! The music arrangements are beautiful and contain playable parts for every level of competency! Last year four of my grandchildren attended and had a glorious time playing exciting music! This year I am attended with eight of my grandchildren! We are so grateful to Jenny for being a light to many by making this delightful workshop possible. ”
FAQs
-
Each workshop will have a Suzuki level listed in the description. Note that these estimations are approximate. It is important musicians select the level they will feel comfortable performing in by the time Workshop week begins.
-
Yes. We encourage musicians to review the levels listed with each workshop, as well as take a peek at the sheet music previews to get an idea of the skill level required of each song.
-
Yes. We love having multi-instrument musicians. It is often that we have a violin player who can also play cello or piano. Violinists and Cellists are responsible for their own instruments.
-
No. You do not have to be local to SLC to participate. We welcome musicians from any part of the world.
-
The correct sheet music will be included with your workshop purchase and it is part of the flat rate fee. It is vital participants use the sheet music sent with their workshop purchase so they can practice the correct arrangement.
Please make it a top priority to download your music immediately after purchasing a workshop. This will prevent your download link from expiring. In the case that your link does expire, click on the original download link in your confirmation email and you’ll be redirected to request a new link.
-
If your link expires, you can click on the original email link where you’ll be automatically redirected to request a new download link via SquareSpace. Please use this solution first before contacting Jenny directly. Sending music manually is time consuming and can be easily resolved with the process above.
-
Search spam folders for sender no-reply@squarespace.info with emails titled “Jenny Oaks Baker.” The headline of the email will look like “Order # is Ready.” Please use this solution first before contacting Jenny directly. Sending music manually is time consuming and can be easily resolved with the process above. If you still can’t find your download email after registering, please contact jennyoaksbaker@icloud.com.
-
Yes. There is seating in the workshop auditorium for parents to watch. Parents with younger children not participating in workshops may be asked to wait in the lobby area to limit disturbances during workshops.
-
The JOB Performance Workshop staff are not responsible for the liability of under-aged children outside of their designated workshop(s). We recommend parents of elementary-aged children expect to attend workshop week with their child(ren).
-
Yes. Workshop attendance is required for final concert participation. It is expected that workshop instructors will make adjustments to the bowings, dynamics or musicality of a piece. Musicians will only be able to receive these updates by attending their workshops.
-
For workshop rehearsals and private lessons, participants should dress comfortably and appropriately, like you would for school or work.
The concert is formal dress (dresses or skirt and a blouse for girls. Slacks and collared shirt for boys).
-
All workshop sales and registration fees are final with a no refund policy. In the case of unexpected extenuating circumstances, "store credit" may be applied so you can attend workshops in the future. If you need to seek store credit, please contact Jenny and Team immediately so we can assist you. jennyoaksbaker@icloud.com
-
In cases where you purchase a workshop and decide you are unable to meet the skill level to play the piece, you may swap your workshop for another by contacting the workshop team at jennyoaksbaker@icloud.com.
Due to the automated digital download of your original purchase, we cannot refund your sheet music. Instead, our support team will redirect you to where you can purchase the correct sheet music without the additional workshop fee. The same policy applies for those who decide they’d prefer to advance to a higher level.
-
Yes. Registration can be transferred between participants as long as the workshop team is notified within 30 days of the first day of workshop week. jennyoaksbaker@icloud.com
Due to the copyright protection of the sheet music that automatically gets sent with workshop purchases, the person receiving the workshop or registration transfer must still purchase their own copy of sheet music.
-
Tickets for the final performance can be purchased at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center website. Jenny will also distribute a purchasing link for all participants to share with family and friends. We encourage everyone to attend!
(NOTE: performers do not need to purchase a ticket for themselves. Workshop participants will sit backstage in designated seats.)
“Thank you so much for this experience! I love what this does for my boys! I especially love how you coordinated songs with the different instruments giving them the opportunity to learn the songs together. Having them practice at home with the violin, cello, and piano just brought such a good feeling, if one started practicing the other would jump right in!”
If you still have questions, please email jennyoaksbaker@icloud.com.