Jennifer Oikawa

Jennifer Oikawa is a Los Angeles-based, pianist, jazz artist, conductor and music teacher with extensive experience performing in a vast array of musical settings and genres, including local and touring musical theatre work as a professional pit musician, rehearsal pianist, and conductor; producing two independent albums featuring her jazz trio; directing and playing in sacred settings; performing with singer-songwriters; and providing live music for weddings, private parties, and events. 

As an instructor, Jennifer has a passion for unlocking the mysteries of music for her students and guiding them in the journey of discovering their own musical expression through developing the skills needed to do so. Having lived her own journey of crossing over from the classical realm to pop and jazz genres, she believes every musician has an innate ability to improvise and provides informed encouragement and multiple tools to free the jazz artist within.

A classically trained pianist in her youth, she began piano lessons at the age of in 9 in her hometown of Calgary. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Music (Azusa Pacific University, California), a Bachelor’s degree in Church Music (Rocky Mountain College, Calgary) and an A.R.C.T. Her jazz pursuits began during her college years - taking private jazz piano lessons (Derek Stoll, Terry Trotter, Joe Bagg) and playing with jazz combos and ensembles (APU Jazz Ensemble, Citrus College Big Band). Composing, arranging and performing with her jazz trio, the Jen Oikawa Trio has produced two independent jazz albums, funded through Kickstarter campaigns (Project One, 2013 and Escape Plan (to Canada), 2016). 

In 2017, Jennifer embarked on an 8 month national tour with Motown: the Musical, as the Associate Conductor, transitioning to the Conductor position for the final month. Now back on the road with another show, Jennifer is currently with the first national tour of the Broadway musical, Mean Girls, in the chair of Keyboard 1.