Jessica passionately performs both works by living composers and by female composers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Her passion for these two areas is epitomized by her two album projects. Black & Gold released by her duo Chyornii & Dorado in 2019, features a slate of new works by up and coming composers commissioned specifically for the project. Root, released in 2023, features transcriptions of works by women composers born in the 19th century. Jessica has had a part in commissioning or premiering works by David Biedenbender, Viet Cuong, Mark Ford, Robert Rankin and many other artists. 

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In addition to performing as a soloist, Jessica teaches and performs with ensembles in the Northern Nevada region. She is on the faculty of the University of Nevada, Reno where she teaches in the music theory department. She also runs the High Sierra Saxophone Studio in the Reno/Carson City/Tahoe area. Jessica also performs with the Carson City Symphony and Reno Philharmonic when their repertoire calls for a saxophonist.

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Jessica has been the recipient of several grants and awards. She was a finalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance’s collegiate solo competition (2022) and Mu Phi Epsilon’s International Competition (2021). She was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Performer Award for the University of Oregon’s class of 2020, and also performed David Canfield’s Concerto After Tchaikovsky with the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra as the winner of University of Oregon’s 2019 Concerto Competition.

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Jessica holds a B.M. in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas, and an M.M. at the University of Oregon where she served as the teaching assistant for the saxophone studio under Dr. Idit Shner. Her D.M.A. in saxophone performance and graduate certificate in music theory pedagogy are from Arizona State University where she studied with Dr. Christopher Creviston. She maintains membership with the North American Saxophone Alliance and serves as a district director for professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon. Jessica is also a member of Dobro Slovo, the national Slavic Honors Society.

 

When not playing the saxophone, Jessica can be found running, reading, or cuddling her cairn terrier, Duckie.