The Piano Studio of Jennifer Cohen

Jennifer Cohen, NCTM

Bachelor of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, 1985

Master of Music, Northwestern University School of Music, 1988

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Music Teachers National Association, 2005 

• Member of the Year, North Shore Music Teachers Association, 2005, 2021
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• Member of the Year, Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association, 2020
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• Teacher of the Year, Illinois State Music Teachers Association, 2019

Illinois-MTNA Foundation Fellow, Illinois State Music Teachers Association, 2025

Jennifer brings over 40 years of teaching experience to her home studio in Hawthorn Woods, ranging from preschool age beginners to advanced high school students.  Her passion, innovative teaching methods, and active participation in the Achievement in Music (AIM) program has her in high demand as a teacher.  Her students have been award winners in area festivals and many have achieved the highest level of AIM presenting Level 12 recitals and have gone on to pursue careers in music.

Jennifer's long term association and as a member of the state AIM Piano committee, she has had an active participation in shaping the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA) AIM Program.  She has presented numerous program sessions and led many AIM Judges meetings that has led to the wide success of AIM at NSMTA. The solid foundation that students achieve through long-term participation of AIM has been the cornerstone of her successful independent piano studio.

Jennifer stays active at several local music associations, having held key positions, including President, 1st Vice President, and long term AIM chair for NSMTA, and as ISMTA Competitions Director for over 15 years.  Her significant contributions have earned her numerous recognitions, including twice as NSMTA Member of the Year and most recently, honored as the 2025 Illinois Foundation Fellow. Prior to establishing her home studio, Jennifer has been on faculty at Northwestern Music Academy, Piano Preparatory Division of North Central College, and DePaul University School of Music.

When not busy with piano related activities, Jennifer enjoys knitting, crocheting, exploring new crafting, and traveling with her husband, Brad, her co-chair of life and piano events!