Vezzoso teachers are carefully vetted and trained in the music teaching methods of school director Sherri Jensen which she has refined over 30 years of teaching. Students learn in fun and satisfying ways that promote self-esteem, confidence, and exceptional mastery of their instruments and of difficult musical concepts.
Sherri JEnsen
Founder, Piano, Strings, Let’s play music
Sherri Jensen grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho accompanying choirs as a pianist and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music, Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree from Brigham Young University. She diversified musically from there by learning stringed instruments with her children, forming a professional performing group, The Sizzling Strings, giving concerts throughout the western United States.
In recent years, she has pursued her passion for choral music by conducting local choirs. In 2016 she began work to found the Vezzoso (Vay-ZTO-zto) School of Music, Vandewiele (Vohn-Duh-Vee-Luh) Conservatory of Fine Arts, and Draper Philharmonic & Choral Society, where she currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor. She maintains an active private studio, teaching piano and strings, and is a certified Let's Play Music teacher in Draper, Utah.
Sherri and her husband, David, are the parents of 8 beautiful children who she credits for much of her pedagogical expertise as she spent 28 years teaching them and learning from them as individuals. It was through the years of teaching her own children that she learned that no two children are the same and that there is a way to work with each individual child in order to bring his/her abilities to the surface. Her technique to find that pathway into each child’s learning style is what makes her the incredible teacher that she is.
When relaxing Sherri loves to travel, is an avid cross-stitcher, and loves boating with her family.
Kaitlin Holt
Clarinet
Kaitlin Holt has been playing the clarinet for twelve years and currently studies at Utah Valley University. She will be entering her final year this fall, and will be graduating with a degree in Clarinet Performance in the spring of 2021.
In her time at UVU, Kaitlin has studied on full-tuition Performance Scholarships. She has been principal clarinetist in both the Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Keck and the Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Cheung Chau. She has also performed as a winner of the UVU Concerto Competition twice. She has performed in masterclasses for artists such as Dr. Jackie Glazier (University of Arizona), Dr. Blake McGee (University of Wyoming), and Professor Richard Hawley (Rice University Shepherd School of Music, former principal clarinetist of Cincinnati Symphony).
Kaitlin's teachers include Dr. Randall Cunningham (William Jewell College), Mrs. Elizabeth Puyear, and Dr. Jeffrey O'Flynn (UVU). She owes all she knows to those who have taken the time to cultivate her learning and growth, and is grateful for those who have given her the gift of music.
In Kaitlin's free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Spencer Holt. She likes to bake, blog, and hike in the mountains.
Kaitlin is very excited to teach at the Vezzoso School of Music. She has a passion for music, and looks forward to sharing that with her students.
Laurie Stevenson
Presto and Private Piano
Laurie Stevenson graduated from BYU with a BA in Music and a minor in Dance. She began Suzuki piano lessons at age five, and has been playing the piano ever since.
Laurie has taught private piano lessons for over fifteen years. Currently, she is teaching elementary classroom music, and volunteers as an accompanist for her church choir.
Laurie believes the language of music is a vital part of a child’s education. She loves helping children develop musical skills and seeing them accomplish their goals.
Laurie and her husband, Brady, are the parents of five children.
When she isn’t teaching or driving her kids around, she enjoys cooking and going for sunset walks.
Keanna Boss
Private Piano
Keanna grew up in Utah playing both the violin and piano, and has a degree in Violin Performance from Utah Valley University. She has been teaching music for over 10 years and loves sharing her passion for music with others.
Keanna has had many opportunities to perform as a soloist, participate in various quartets, and was a member of the Young Artist Chamber Players for 4 years. She has performed in 5 European countries, with her favorite performance being at Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria. She has been a violinist in the Draper Philharmonic & Choral Society since 2019, and will be performing with them on a European Tour in June 2023.
Keanna loves sharing her gift of music with others. She is the organist for her church meetings and has been a volunteer pianist in hospitals.
In Keanna’s free time she loves traveling, being outdoors, crocheting, and spending time with family.