Jennifer Cruz, D.M.A.

Dr. Jennifer Cruz is Associate Professor and Director of Keyboard Collaboration and Piano Pedagogy at the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts at California Baptist University. In May 2023, her application for tenure was affirmed by the Board of Trustees. Prior to her appointment at CBU, she served as a staff pianist and faculty member at the University of La Verne.

An active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT), Dr. Cruz has held leadership roles, including two consecutive terms as Treasurer and First Director on the MTAC State Board, as well as President of the MTAC Diamond Bar Branch.

In addition to teaching applied piano, piano literature, and pedagogy at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Dr. Cruz maintains an active career as a solo and collaborative artist, lecturer, and clinician. She recently appeared for the third consecutive year as a Faculty Artist in Residence at the Montecito International Music Festival in Thousand Oaks, California (July 2025), and performed at the 2024 InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy, where she led masterclasses and was featured in multiple recital showcases. In 2018, she joined select CBU faculty in presenting concerts and masterclasses at prestigious institutions and venues across China.

Dr. Cruz is a frequent adjudicator for MTNA, MTAC, CAPMT, and the Southern California Junior Bach Festival (SCJBF), and has also served as a judge for the Seattle International Piano Competition. A passionate advocate for collaborative piano, she regularly performs with colleagues at MTNA, MTAC, and CAPMT/YPLN events. Her orchestral appearances include performances with the Bellflower Symphony and the LA Bach Festival Orchestra.

As an avid pedagogue, Dr. Cruz presents masterclasses and clinics throughout Southern California and has been a featured speaker at conferences for MTNA, MTAC, and CAPMT. In addition to serving as the Keyboard Faculty Liaison and overseeing program development, she actively contributes to student coaching and panel discussions. Her published articles include “Can You Hear Me Now: Helping Students Overcome Distraction” (2021) and “Ready, Create, Inspire!” (2018) in the peer-reviewed California Music Teacher journal. She also co-authored “Sight-Reading for the Contemporary Pianist” with USC Collegiate Chapter members, published in the Fall 2022 issue of CAPMT Connect.

In 2020, Dr. Cruz designed and launched the Piano Pedagogy degree concentration at California Baptist University, a program that continues to thrive. Many of her former students have gone on to build successful musical careers, including managing flourishing private piano studios.

Dr. Cruz maintains an active teaching and performing schedule and is deeply committed to mentoring students toward careers that inspire others through music—equipping them with essential life skills, guiding them toward meaningful and impactful paths, and empowering them to uplift others through their artistry.

Dr. Cruz holds degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California (DMA and MM) with Minor fields in Music Education, Keyboard Collaborative Arts, and Piano Pedagogy, and from the Eastman School of Music (BM). Her former teachers include Stewart Gordon, Alan Smith, Grace Fong, Gail Niwa, Nelita True, and Mark Richman.

Group Piano Instruction for Beginning Non-Music Majors
Group Piano Instruction for Music Majors: I, II, and III
Piano Practicum for Technical and Functional Skills
Private and Applied Piano Instruction for Performance Majors (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Private and Applied Instruction (Collaborative Piano Majors)
Basics of Accompanying
Repertoire for Accompanists
Performance Styles for Accompanists
Piano Literature I and II (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Piano Pedagogy I and II (Undergraduate)
Seminar in Instrumental Pedagogy (Graduate)
Observations and Practicum in Teaching (Undergraduate)
Piano Studio Performance class
Chamber Ensemble (Undergraduate and Graduate)

Classical Piano
Sacred Piano (Gospel/Contemporary)
Keyboard Accompanying
Keyboard Technique
Repertoire for Accompanists
Performance Styles for Accompanists
Piano Pedagogy
Piano Literature
Chamber Ensemble
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Piano evaluator for the Music Teacher's Association of California's (MTAC) Certificate of Merit Program–2010 to present.
Piano adjudicator for various music competitions and festivals held in California.
Collaborative pianist
Piano Pedagogy

California Baptist University, Adjunct Piano Instructor –2015 to 2016.
University of La Verne, Adjunct Piano Instructor; Vocal Coach–2013 to 2016.
Private Piano Instructor–1989 to present.
Thornell Elementary School (New York), Student Instructor–1996.
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Before joining the CBU Music faculty, Dr. Cruz was also the staff pianist for ULV’s Chamber Singers, University Chorale, and the Vocal department from 2013 to 2016.

"Can You Hear Me Now? Helping Music Students Overcome Distraction," California Music Teacher, 2021.
"Ready, Inspire, Create! A Piano Teacher's Guide: Engaging Students in Musicianship, Interpretation, and Performance," California Music Teacher, 2018.

Performances/Presentations:

(Conferences)
"Music: Empowering a Women's Soul" - 21st annual Empowering Young Women Conference (Riverside Community College), March 12, 2022.

(Solo Appearances)
Teacher’s Performance Recital, MTAC State Convention–2018 and 2017.
Contemporary Music Seminar, Presenter/Performer, MTAC State Convention–2019 and 2017.
South Bay Festival of the Arts, Torrance Cultural Center–2017.
Collinsworth School of Music Faculty Concert Series–2017.
University of La Verne Faculty/Guest Artist Concert Series–2014 to 2016.

(Collaborative Work)
"Life is Beautiful" Riverside Life Service Banquet & Telethon - 2022
CBU "Kaleidoscope" Faculty Recital - 2021.
MTAC State Convention Contemporary Seminar - 2019.
CAPMT Young Professional's Showcase Concert - 2018.
Gary Bonner Singers’ Choir Workshop and Concert (Seattle, Washington)–2017.
Gary Bonner Singers’ Christmas Choir Concert–2015.
Los Angeles premiere of the musical comedy “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown”–2014.

(Orchestral appearances)
Featured soloist with Bellflower Symphony Association–1990.
Featured soloist with Los Angeles Bach Festival Orchestra–1989.

(Awards/Competitions)
1st Place Winner of Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition (Masterclass Division)—1991.
Gold Medalist, Southern California Junior Bach Festival—1989 and 1987.
Finalist, Young Keyboard Artist Competition—1988.

The Grove Community Church - 2022 to present.
Fellowship Monrovia–2017 to 2022.
Bible Baptist Church of Victorville, Church pianist and accompanist–2006 to 2017.

Music Teacher's National Association, USC Collegiate Chapter, Member–July 2018 to present.
California Association of Professional Music Teachers (MTNA affiliate), Member –July 2018 to present.
National Society of Leadership and Success, Candidate–2018.
Music Teacher’s Association of California, Board Member, Treasurer–2015 to 2017.
Music Teacher’s Association of California, Executive and Finance Committee Member–2015 to 2017.
Music Teacher’s Association of California, Board Member, 1st Director–2013 to 2015.
Music Teacher’s Association of California, Diamond Bar Branch, Member–2004 to present.

Enjoys traveling and cruising.
Favorite place to visit: Hawaii and Prague.
Husband: Enrico
Children: Jonathan, Jasmine, and Justine

Life Verses:
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." Colossians 3:23
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Favorite Quotes:
"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words that which cannot remain silent." Victor Hugo
"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." Martin Luther