Jenifer Elaine Kechulius is a passionate music educator and performer who brings energy and expertise to every lesson and stage she graces. Based in Zürich, Switzerland, she teaches nearly 40 private students in saxophone, clarinet, voice, piano, and recorder, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Recently, she has expanded her offerings to include group flute and piano classes.

​

Jenie’s musical journey began at Purdue University Fort Wayne (formerly IPFW), where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance. She later returned as a lecturer, teaching private saxophone lessons, directing the saxophone choir, and assisting Dr. Chad Nicholson as the university’s assistant band director.

​

Eager to deepen her craft, she pursued a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at the University of South Carolina under Dr. Cliff Leaman, where she also delved into music history. Her time at USC was filled with diverse musical experiences—working as a teaching assistant in music entrepreneurship, instructing music appreciation, directing the New Horizons Bands, and managing administrative duties for the School of Music and the prestigious Southeastern Piano Festival (Marina Lomazov). On stage, she performed with esteemed ensembles such as the Spartanburg Symphony Orchestra, Florence Symphony Orchestra, and Augusta Symphony Orchestra.

​

After completing her graduate studies, Jenie brought her expertise to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where she served as Program Director of the Champaign School of Music, a leading private music academy. She continued to shape young musicians through private woodwind lessons before stepping into leadership roles at the University of Illinois, where she was the Executive Director and Marketing Director of Sinfonia da Camera (Ian Hobson).

​

Now, as the Manager and saxophone section coach of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project, Jenie remains dedicated to nurturing musical excellence on an international scale. Whether she’s teaching, performing, or leading, she brings a contagious enthusiasm and a deep love for music to everything she does.