Originally from the metropolitan Detroit area, Jennifer Keller began studying harp with Patricia Terry-Ross of Wayne State University. Six years later, she received a full, four-year scholarship to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, to study with Elizabeth Richter. After earning her Bachelor of Music degree in Harp Performance, she continued her education at Boston University, studying with renowned teacher Lucile Lawrence and completing a Master of Music degree in Harp. She also spent two summers of intense study with Miss Lawrence at the Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts, in addition to her time in Boston.
During her student years, she performed with the Richmond (IN) Symphony, the Muncie Symphony, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, and the Radcliffe Choral Society, in addition to her required participation in several university music ensembles. She also performed various solo recitals, including a special performance for the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Ball State, and was the featured soloist in Handel's “Concerto for Harp in B-flat” at the commencement ceremonies of Ball State's College of Fine Arts.
Prior to coming to Illinois, she continued her orchestral work with the Macomb, Birmingham-Bloomfield, and Southfield Symphonies, the Farmington (MI) Philharmonic Orchestra, along with several theatre orchestras. She also taught Music Appreciation courses at Macomb County Community College, and performed for weddings and many other private events in suburban Detroit.
Since 2001, she has taught several semesters of Music Appreciation courses and has been the harpist for the Encore Musical Theatre at Elgin Community College. She has also performed with the critically acclaimed vocal ensemble, Heartland Voices, and can be heard on their CD “Home is Where the Heart Is” which was released in 2004.