Mrs. Jenna Mkhwanazi, Director of Choirs
Jenna Mkhwanazi of Brainerd, Minnesota earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Mkhwanazi is currently serving her second year as Director of Choirs and General Music Teacher at Murray County Central School. During her time at Luther, Mkhwanazi performed in Aurora, Cathedral, and served as section leader of Collegiate Chorale. Although Vocal performance was her main focus in college, Mkhwanazi also studied Violin at Luther College and served as Concert Master of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Mkhwanazi has toured Minnesota with the Luther College Collegiate Chorale. She has studied conducting under Dr. Andrew Last and Dr. Spencer Martin. She has also practiced vocal and violin performance with Dr. Karen Kanakis, Dr. Deborah Gover, Dr. Jill Phillips, and Dr. Virginia Strauss. Mkhwanazi held a student teaching position at the Singapore American School in Singapore, Garfield Elementary in Brainerd, MN and the Brainerd High School in Brainerd, MN.
Mkhwanazi's approach to teaching is centered around students being leaders and building a sense of teamwork and community within the choir. Mkhwanazi believes in fostering many skills in each individual student to help them become well rounded musicians that can use these skills lifelong. Mkhwanazi is well versed in the instrumental world as well as the vocal world, and teaches private voice and violin lessons. Mkhwanazi's goal is for all students to be able to become independent musicians as well as musicians part of a community that have a sense of pride in their role in music and the world.
Mkhwanazi credits her mentors and music teachers for helping her foster a lifelong commitment to the arts. This list includes and is not limited to:
High School - Maggie Boland, Brian Stubbs, Michael Smith, Grant Wilcox, Hugh Givens, Deena Bistodeau, Brian and Jacki Lemieux and Marion Judish
College - Dr. Andrew Last, Dr. Jennaya Robison, Dr. Virginia Strauss, Dr. Spencer Martin, Dr. Deborah Gover, Dr. Karen Kanakis, Dr. Jill Wilson, Dr. Jill Phillips, Linda Martin, Dr. Melanie Batoff and the many peers who inspired more passion within me.
Mkhwanazi has toured Minnesota with the Luther College Collegiate Chorale. She has studied conducting under Dr. Andrew Last and Dr. Spencer Martin. She has also practiced vocal and violin performance with Dr. Karen Kanakis, Dr. Deborah Gover, Dr. Jill Phillips, and Dr. Virginia Strauss. Mkhwanazi held a student teaching position at the Singapore American School in Singapore, Garfield Elementary in Brainerd, MN and the Brainerd High School in Brainerd, MN.
Mkhwanazi's approach to teaching is centered around students being leaders and building a sense of teamwork and community within the choir. Mkhwanazi believes in fostering many skills in each individual student to help them become well rounded musicians that can use these skills lifelong. Mkhwanazi is well versed in the instrumental world as well as the vocal world, and teaches private voice and violin lessons. Mkhwanazi's goal is for all students to be able to become independent musicians as well as musicians part of a community that have a sense of pride in their role in music and the world.
Mkhwanazi credits her mentors and music teachers for helping her foster a lifelong commitment to the arts. This list includes and is not limited to:
High School - Maggie Boland, Brian Stubbs, Michael Smith, Grant Wilcox, Hugh Givens, Deena Bistodeau, Brian and Jacki Lemieux and Marion Judish
College - Dr. Andrew Last, Dr. Jennaya Robison, Dr. Virginia Strauss, Dr. Spencer Martin, Dr. Deborah Gover, Dr. Karen Kanakis, Dr. Jill Wilson, Dr. Jill Phillips, Linda Martin, Dr. Melanie Batoff and the many peers who inspired more passion within me.