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Welcome!

ABOUT

MEET OUR TEAM
WHY IOVANNE MUSIC ACADEMY?

Making music fun.  Keeping standards high.   Iovanne Music Academy features highly qualified, enthusiastic educators dedicated to teaching private piano, voice, guitar, ukulele and flute lessons to students of all ages and backgrounds.  Based in Kirkland, with in-home, studio and virtual lessons available throughout the Eastside.

 

Interested in classical, jazz, pop, country, theory, improvisation, composition, or just learning the basics?   Rather than follow a 'one size fits all' approach, our educators work to understand your goals, learning styles and interests.  We believe in building well-rounded musicians, with lessons tailored to the individual.  Our students read music, compose, arrange, perform for others and enjoy lessons. We believe music is a lifelong journey that should be fun, challenging, and shared with others.  Iovanne Music Academy is a wonderful place to explore your music goals and learn from teachers truly dedicated to their craft.  

 

Call 206.384.7952 to find out more!  Lessons offered weekdays and weekends to fit your schedule. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jennifer Iovanne Mackend

FOUNDER
TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

 Jennifer began teaching private piano and voice lessons in 2007, and founded Iovanne Music Academy in 2013 to provide quality music education to students of all ages and backgrounds. Drawn to music at an early age, Jennifer began music lessons at age 5 and was accompanying choirs and working under a voice teacher in her middle and high school years.  An active music educator, director, arranger and performer since graduating from the University of Washington, Jennifer has taught privately and collaborated with some of the area's most vibrant performing arts organizations, including Studio East, Broadway Bound, Gallery School of Music and Dance, and Evergreen City Ballet. She has also served as Music Director for Northwest Christian Church in Seattle since 2008.

Jennifer performs at private and corporate events, and has been awarded #1 Music in KING5's Best of Western Washington numerous times. She has performed in some of the area's top venues, including the Washington State Governor's Mansion, Columbia Tower Club, Four Seasons Hotel, and Salish Lodge.

Jennifer lives in Kirkland with her husband and two young boys.

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Whittaker

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, GUITAR

Whittaker has a rich background of musical pedagogy, performance, and theory. Over the years, he has worked as an accompanist, section leader, soloist, cantor and director for numerous individual performers, groups and choirs. His piano and voice lessons are filled with a lot of humor and musical anecdotes to connect abstract music with people. He places a strong emphasis on theory and technique, along with musical history, in order to integrate the broad styles found within contemporary and classical music to create a real and rich understanding of music, and through that, a deeper love of music. Younger/beginning students will connect with his humor, congeniality, and patience, while advanced students will appreciate his depth of knowledge, experience, and sincere love of music.  

Whittaker lives in the south end with his wife and twin preschoolers.

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Kim 

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, GUITAR, UKULELE

Kim is an incredibly accomplished music teacher and director. She grew up in Olympia and began studying music as a young child. Since graduating from UC Davis, Kim has been very active as a music teacher, director, conductor, arranger, and curriculum developer. She has worked with incredible and diverse organizations over the years, including ArtsWest, Seattle Musical Theater, Bellevue Christian School, Northwest University, Balagan Theatre, and Second Story Rep. One of Kim's favorite aspects of music is the opportunity to "tell stories and shape performances in a way that drives the story forward." When working with private music students, Kim adores "the opportunity I have to grow a student's confidence and sense of self."

Kim lives on the eastside with her family and is a proud mom to "the kindest 17 year old I've ever met." 

 

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Alison

TEACHER, PIANO AND VOICE 

Alison is a proud PNW native, and holds a BA in Music from Central Washington University. She is trained in both classical piano and voice as well as jazz piano and voice, making her an awesomely skilled musician and versatile teacher. Alison is also a gifted singer-songwriter, and has collaborated with many musicians and bands over the years. She is an active performer across the region, and is working on her debut album. Alison values music education and enjoys playing a pivotal role in the musical growth of others; she believes learning music stems from a place of joy, and strives to evoke that same joy in each of her students. 

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Susan

TEACHER, PIANO AND VOICE

Susan has more than 35 years of experience as a piano and voice teacher, performer, and choir director at a number of churches and schools, including Bellevue Christian School's junior and high school choirs. In addition to her work with choirs and providing private piano and voice lessons, she is also an adjunct faculty member at DigiPen, where she teaches voice through the school's music department. Susan holds a Masters in Music through Mannes College of Music in New York, and has performed nationally and internationally over the years. She enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. In her free time, Susan enjoys spending time with her husband, three grown children, and grandson. 

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Isaac

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, OBOE

Isaac grew up in the midwest and began studying piano at age 6. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in music therapy. His musical work experience is broad: he has worked as a music therapist with people in hospice care, sung competitively in national and international barbershop competitions, played keys and musically directed pit orchestras in the theater community, and has played in a  house rock band on international cruise ships. Isaac is a gifted music educator and, stemming from his background in music therapy, he believes that music is for all. He is happy to offer lessons adapted to suit each individual's unique learning styles and interests. Beyond music, Isaac enjoys chess and spending time outdoors with his partner, Leta and their cat, Lydian.


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Marieta

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

Marieta is an enthusiastic, patient and experienced music educator. She has worked as a choral conductor with both youth and adults, and has served as a presenter, interpreter and jury assistant for choral competitions. She has performed extensively in her home country of Slovakia, and throughout Europe. Marieta has 12 years of music teaching experience and has worked with all ages, including toddlers and preschoolers. Locally, she has worked with LWSD choirs, Music in the Parks, Kirkland Choral Society, and has taught piano and voice both privately and in small groups.

She lives locally with her husband and school age children.​

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