ABOUT US
Dr. Jennifer Koa is a performer, collaborator, and instructor based in Metro Detroit. She has been teaching in Michigan since she moved to Lansing to pursue studies at Michigan State University. Last spring, she completed training in Suzuki Book 1 with Dr. Andrea Yun. Jennifer has experience teaching students of a wide range of ages and skill levels from beginner to college undergraduate.
As a performer, Jennifer plays solo and chamber recitals and performs in local orchestras, such as the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Dearborn Symphony Orchestra. In 2019 she performed as a chamber player and soloist at the Cello Springs Festival in Yellow Springs, OH. While at Vanderbilt University she won the Tennessee State MTNA Chamber Music Competition with the Music City Trio in 2010, as well as third place at the national level with the Apollo Trio in 2013. Jennifer has played in masterclasses for artists such as Steven Isserlis, Amit Peled, Norman Fischer, Laurence Lesser, and Colin Carr, among others.
Jennifer completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at Michigan State University in 2020, and earned a Master of Music in cello performance at Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music at Vanderbilt University. Her principal teachers have been Jonathan Kramer, Felix Wang, Greg Sauer, and Suren Bagratuni.
Willis Koa is a cellist and teacher based in Metro Detroit. He first began teaching in 2013 while serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee, instructing major and non-major students of varying skill levels. During his time at UT, he became a registered Suzuki Method teacher and completed teacher training with Dr. Melissa Kraut and Barbara Wampner. Willis coaches sectionals at local schools and was cello coach at MASTA camp in 2024 and 2017.
As a performer, Willis gives regular solo recitals and is principal cellist of the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he served as assistant principal of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and was section member of the West Michigan Symphony. He has also performed with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony Orchestra, and more. As a collaborative musician Willis was a member of the University of Tennessee Contemporary Music Ensemble, UT Graduate Quartet/Quintet, and Western Michigan University’s contemporary music ensemble, Birds on a Wire.
Willis completed a year of study for the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Michigan State University before transitioning into a career in software development. He completed his Master’s in Cello Performance at the University of Tennessee where he was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship and holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University where he was awarded the Herbert Butler scholarship. His primary teachers were Suren Bagratuni, Dr. Wesley Baldwin, and Bruce Uchimura.