ABOUT JENNIFER SHANNON
Jennifer Shannon is a freelance musician and private flute instructor based in the Norman and Central Oklahoma area. She is currently in her final semester of coursework toward the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Flute at the University of Oklahoma, where she studies under Dr. Valerie Watts. She also serves as an IT Graduate Assistant for the University of Oklahoma School of Music.
Prior to relocating to Oklahoma in 2025, Jennifer was an Adjunct Music Instructor at Lamar University (Beaumont, Texas) and Lee College (Baytown, Texas), where she taught music appreciation, music theory, and applied flute. During this time, she also pursued advanced doctoral coursework in Educational Leadership at Lamar University, completing 24 credit hours toward the Ed.D. Her studies emphasized leadership in higher education, including program evaluation, strategic planning, organizational change, and data-informed decision making.
As a performer, Jennifer appeared regularly on flute and piccolo with the Symphony of Southeast Texas and the Southeast Texas Winds and Percussion. She was featured as a soloist with the Southeast Texas Winds and Percussion in both 2023 and 2024, performing Charles Booker’s Joan of Arc Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble.
Jennifer is a founding member of Beau Deux, a Beaumont, Texas–based flute and clarinet duo with Ronald White, principal clarinetist of the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Beau Deux was selected to perform at the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Jennifer earned her Master of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 2014, graduating with a perfect GPA. As the flute studio’s teaching assistant, she taught flute ensemble, undergraduate and graduate secondary and non-major lessons, and flute techniques for music education majors. She also performed as principal flute with the OU Symphony Orchestra and as a member of the graduate woodwind quintet. In Spring 2013, she served as Interim Flute Instructor during Dr. Watts’s sabbatical, teaching freshman and junior level applied flute lessons. In recognition of her teaching excellence, Jennifer was twice awarded the Provost’s Certificate of Distinction for Outstanding Graduate Teaching.
She holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Houston, where she studied with Jennifer Keeney. At UH, she served as principal flute of the Wind Ensemble and performed in multiple opera productions through the Edythe Bates Old Opera Program. She graduated magna cum laude in 2012.
Jennifer has recorded for the Naxos and Mark Custom labels and has performed in masterclasses for more than twenty internationally renowned flutists.
A passionate and dedicated educator, Jennifer maintains an active private studio of flutists of all ages, including All-State Band members and students earning “Superior” ratings at Solo & Ensemble contests. She has taught summer music programs, presented masterclasses, and provided instruction to flutists across the United States.
Jennifer’s professional affiliations include the College Music Society, Flute New Music Consortium, National Flute Association, Oklahoma Flute Society, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, Oklahoma and Texas Music Educators Associations, Pi Kappa Lambda, Houston Flute Club, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Tau Beta Sigma.
