Theresa Jenkins-Russ
Dr. Theresa Jenkins-Russ is a professional violinist in classical and alternative styles. Dr. Jenkins-Russ is also an educator, conductor and an author. Dr. Jenkins-Russ received her B.A. in Violin Performance from Wheaton College in 1985. While there, she studied with Nancy Cirillo at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 1987, she earned her first M.S. in Music Education from Long Island University in New York. She began working on a Doctorate Degree in Education from Hofstra University. In 2012 Dr. Jenkins-Russ completed course work through Converse University for a M.S. degree of Secondary Educational Administration. In 2024 Dr. Jenkins-Russ earned her Ed.D, Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University.
Dr. Jenkins-Russ’s teaching career began in 1987, teaching orchestra in several Long Island Schools. From 1993-2003 she taught High School and Middle School Orchestra in Arlington, Virginia public schools. While in Arlington, she was appointed the orchestra coordinator of her pyramid and conducted the Arlington High School district-wide Honors Orchestra, which frequently performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
While in Boston, New York and Virginia Dr. Jenkins-Russ preformed with several professional orchestras, including the Brockton Symphony, the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, the Pan-American Symphony, the Nassau Pops Orchestra, the South Shore Symphony, and the West Islip Chamber Orchestra. In 1993 Dr. Jenkins-Russ began nurturing and developing her jazz strings skills by studying with several artists including Mr. David Balakrishnan and other members of the Turtle Island Quartet, Dr. Billy Taylor, Mr. John Blake, Jr. and Mr. Christian Howes. Dr. Jenkins-Russ is currently a core member of the Spartanburg Philharmonic (SPO).
In 2003-present, Dr. Jenkins-Russ joined the Spartanburg District 7 orchestra staff, teaching at Spartanburg High School and Whitlock Jr. High. Currently Dr. Jenkins- Russ teaches at four elementary schools teaching fifth grade strings while assisting at one middle school. In 2015-present, Dr. Jenkins-Russ began teaching at Converse University’s the Lawson Academy of the Arts. At Lawson Dr. Jenkins-Russ is the director of the Lawson Chamber Ensemble and maintains a private studio teaching all age ranges of students including adults. The Lawson Chamber Ensemble has performed numerous times including the annual Talent Expressions Competition. Dr. Jenkins-Russ has held positions in the professional music community, including being President of the SC American String Teachers Association (ASTA) from 2010-2012 and serving on its Board of Directors from 2006-2014. Dr. Jenkins-Russ from 2006-present serves at the Southeast Representative for NS Design Electric Instruments. In 2012 Dr. Jenkins-Russ was selected to conduct the Region 2 (Greenville) 7 th -9 th grade SCMEA Region Orchestra. Dr. Jenkins-Russ has written articles for national publications including Strings Magazine, International Association for Jazz Education publication, American String Teacher Journal (ASTA) and the SC ASTA Newsletter, of which she was the editor.
In 2006-2014 Dr. Jenkins-Russ organized and conducted the professional group The Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, which consisted of professional musicians from North and South Carolina. This group brought in several guest artists and performed at various venues including the Chapman Cultural Center, Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and Twichell Auditorium. Dr. Jenkins-Russ lives in Spartanburg with her husband Leon and their dog Farley.