Jillienne Bowers, a native of Southern California, currently lives in Adrian, Michigan since 1992. She has been a member of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in Toledo, Ohio since the fall of 1991 where she plays in the first violin section. Jillienne is also a private instructor teaching violin and viola students in her hometown studio in Adrian, in addition to being on faculty at Toledo Symphony School of Music, and as adjunct faculty at Hillsdale College.

 

Educated at Peabody Music Conservatory of John’s Hopkins University and Boston University, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Master of Music degree in violin performance. She later earned her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University. Inspired by Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy that “Every Child Can Learn”, she became registered on the violin in all the Suzuki books and teaches with this philosophy in mind. While in college, her main teachers were Charles Libove, Camilla Wicks, and Paul Kantor. She continues her education through enrichment classes and through Suzuki master teachers such as Cathryn Lee.

When not playing or teaching violin, Jillienne enjoys hobbies which include most anything to do with water such as swimming, kayaking, tubing, and skiing. She also enjoys reading, and gardening and walking the dog.