Private Piano Instructors Riffel and Willson Join Music Department
Maranatha’s Department of Music is pleased to welcome two part-time piano instructors: Jennifer Riffel and Amber Willson. These highly qualified musicians have similar backgrounds. Both were raised in Christian homes and came to know the Lord as Savior at a young age. Both are private studio instructors, have taught in Christian schools and universities, and serve in the music ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown.
In her twenty years in piano pedagogy, Jennifer has performed all the standard duties, not only teaching untold students to play the piano, but also teaching students how to teach others. She has conducted group and private lessons, accompanied recitalists, advised music majors, served as a university piano coordinator, and coached students in fine arts competitions.
Jennifer says, “I am grateful for the ministry of Maranatha to our family—particularly the prep school … We have attended early childhood classes since our boys were infants. Two of our sons take lessons.”
Likewise, Amber, a Maranatha alumna, has had ample experience teaching varied levels, accompanying an array of performances and auditions, adjudicating at events such as the Fond du lac Area Piano Festival, and has had the honor of being guest pianist/lecturer for Semana de Musica Sacra (Sacred Music Week) in Crato, Ceara, Brazil. As a former instructor for Maranatha Music Prep School, Amber has also served as Piano Ensemble Director for MBU’s Great Lakes Music Festival.
Janet Tschida, Director of Maranatha Music Prep School, praises these new staff additions, saying, “Jennifer’s background in higher education, paired with her well-earned reputation as an inspiring teacher and accomplished musician, promises to deeply enrich the students who have the opportunity to study with her.” Of Amber she comments, “I’m so delighted that another graduate of MBU’s music pedagogy program now returns to our music department as a valued faculty member! Amber’s success as a collaborative musician combined with her ability to foster a love of music in her students will be a wonderful asset to our department.”