THE
STRING
INITIATIVE
ABOUT
ME
Passionate About Inspiring Others
Jessica Davis is a violinist, visual artist, and dedicated educator originally from New Knoxville, Ohio. A lifelong student of the Suzuki Method, she began studying violin at the age of six under the guidance of her first teachers, Dan Jones and Jeremy Zank. She is a Suzuki Certified Instructor (Books 1–4) and is also certified in the String Sprouts early childhood music program under the mentorship of Ruth Meints.
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Davis holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she focused on arts-based inquiry and the intersection of creative practice and pedagogy. She earned dual undergraduate degrees from Bowling Green State University: a Bachelor of Music Education with University Honors, studying violin under Dr. Penny Thompson Kruse, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, including a semester at Studio Arts Center International in Florence, Italy. She is also a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, where she studied violin with Paul Sonner.
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During her undergraduate years, Davis spent summers in Empire, Colorado, serving as the art director for an Easter Seals camp. Her experience working with individuals with disabilities deeply shaped her commitment to inclusive arts education.
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After college, Davis moved to Shizuoka, Japan, where she taught English through the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program. While there, she performed with the Hamamatsu Symphony Orchestra and studied traditional Japanese ceramics.
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Jessica currently lives in Ohio and teaches Suzuki violin in both private and group settings. She has extensive experience working with children of all abilities and remains committed to creating inclusive, community-centered music and arts experiences. She previously served on the artist-faculty at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, where she maintained a private studio of over 35 students and taught in the Violin Sprouts program at Nelson Mandela Elementary.
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