Jana started piano lessons at age seven and throughout high school enjoyed singing songs while at the piano.

At age ten she started playing trumpet. Various honors followed: becoming 1 of 2 Missouri seniors in the McDonald's All-American High School Band, winning the governor's scholarship to Interlochen Music Camp, and finally a full-ride scholarship to study trumpet at Rice University in Houston. 

Primary Teachers

  • Lauren Braton (voice) - Professional Singer, Actress, and Voice Teacher

  • David Bilger (trumpet) - Philadelphia Orchestra, formerly at Rice University

  • Richard Steuart (trumpet) - Hermann Zilcher Konservatorium, Wurzburg, Germany

  • Keith Benjamin (trumpet) - University of Missouri Kansas City

  • Gary Love (trumpet) - Formerly at Wentworth Military Academy

Music Honors & Scholarships

  • Graduate Teaching Assistantship Music Theory University of Missouri Kansas City

  • Internship Scholarship, People to People International Wurzburg, Germany  

  • Full Tuition & Board Scholarship, Shepherd School of Music Rice University

  • Missouri Governor’s Scholar, Interlochen National Music Camp

  • Missouri All-State Band, 1st trumpet three years, 2nd trumpet one year

  • McDonald’s All-American High School Band

Performance Experience

  • Freelance Singer/Guitarist/Trumpeter (Chicago, NYC, KCMO)

  • Overland Park Civic Band (KCMO)

  • New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra (NYC)

  • Prairie Brass Band, St. Paul's Brass Quintet, Savoyaires (Chicago)

  • Evangel Brass Quintet (Springfield, MO)

  • Philharmonia of Kansas City (KCMO)

  • Missouri Brass Band (KCMO)

  • Civic Opera of Kansas City (KCMO)

  • New Ear Contemporary Ensemble (KCMO)

  • Independence Brass Quintet (KCMO)

  • Celebrant Singers (Touring Group)