A native of rural Iowa, Jennifer Hemken holds several degrees which include a doctorate in French horn and collaborative piano from the University of North Texas, a Professional Studies Diploma in orchestral studies from the The New School – Mannes School of Music, and master’s degrees in Music Education and Developmental Disabilities from Columbia University. Her ballet accompanying experience includes jobs with Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Theater of Harlem, Ballet Arts, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Interlochen Arts Camp, and The Atlanta Ballet. Her recent orchestral endeavors involve playing the French horn for state opera orchestras in Bulgaria. Teaching experience ranges from working as a private piano teacher in Chicago to serving as a horn teaching fellow at North Texas to teaching college piano at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.