Where Musicianship and Creativity Meet
Piano lessons at Rising Phoenix Piano Studio nurture the full spectrum of musicianship while encouraging each student’s unique musical voice. In addition to building solid technique, ear training, sight-reading, and a deep understanding of theory and history, students explore a wide range of repertoire in ways that ignite creativity and self-expression.
Piano study supports brain development—boosting memory, focus, and problem-solving, while strengthening math and spatial skills. It cultivates discipline and responsibility, and offers a meaningful outlet for personal expression that students can carry with them for life.
Lessons at Rising Phoenix follow the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum and offer the option of annual exams to track progress. Students are also supported in sharing their musical expression through recitals, masterclasses, festivals, and competitions.
Who we are
Jennifer Döndrup Grant holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University and a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. Her undergraduate studies focused on the standard classical piano repertoire, while her graduate work offered a deep immersion in contemporary classical music and extended piano techniques. She also pursued secondary studies in African and Indian music and dance.
Jennifer’s principal piano teachers include Evelyn Brancart, Edward Auer, Elizabeth Pridonoff, Marilyn Neeley, Vicki Ray, and Bryan Pezzone. Her training in world music was guided by esteemed artists such as Swapan Chaudhuri, Alfred and Kobla Ladzekpo, Beatrice Lawluvi, and John Bergamo.
She has performed across the Midwest and West Coast, including appearances on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Series, at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, in a vocal ensemble with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, and at the Illinois State Governor’s Mansion. She regularly performs two-piano repertoire in recital with San Francisco Bay Area pianist Shofen Lee.
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Jennifer is dedicated to supporting the unique musical journey of each student. She offers thorough and structured training in classical piano performance, technique, musicianship, theory, and history, while nurturing each student’s creativity and individual expression. Her teaching is centered around the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum, which offers a comprehensive and nationally recognized progression in musical achievement. In addition to her current RCM focus, Jennifer spent over 25 years guiding students through the Music Teachers’ Association of California’s Certificate of Merit (CM) program, with many earning State and Branch Honors and invitations to perform at the MTAC State Convention. Her students have also received top prizes in competitions such as Marin Music Chest, MTNA/CAPMT Honors and Contemporary Competitions, San Domenico Conservatory’s Annual Piano Competition, Margaret Bean Davis Piano Competition, UC Berkeley Concerto Competition, and more.
Jennifer served on the piano faculty of the San Domenico Music Conservatory for 14 years and directed its Piano Honors Program for six years. She is a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT).
In addition to her work as a musician and educator, Jennifer is also a teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She completed the traditional three-year retreat in 2005 and currently serves as the Resident Lama at Sukhasiddhi Foundation.
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