Influential Woman · Music Education
Jennifer Hsuan Wang
Ensemble Director, Boston Music Project
Boston, MA 02111
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Wang is a violinist, educator, and ensemble director whose work combines artistic excellence with a deep commitment to music education and community impact. Based in the Boston area, she recently earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance from Boston University, where her doctoral research explored the application of Paul Rolland’s movement-focused string pedagogy in diverse classroom settings. Originally from Taiwan, Jennifer began her teaching career in 2014 and has since built a reputation as an innovative string educator dedicated to helping students develop both technical skill and a lifelong love of music.
Since joining the Boston Music Project in 2019, Jennifer has expanded her role from teaching artist to ensemble director, leading youth orchestras and mentoring fellow educators through professional development workshops. She is also a faculty member at Village Youth Conservatory, where she provides individualized instruction to young violinists. Passionate about making string education both engaging and effective, Jennifer shares practical teaching strategies with educators and is committed to creating meaningful musical experiences that foster growth, confidence, and connection. She believes the most impactful teaching happens when educators work alongside students, guiding them through challenges and celebrating their progress.
In addition to her work as an educator, Jennifer is an accomplished performer and has served as Concertmaster of the Boston Civic Symphony since winning the position in 2022. Her success is rooted in a strong work ethic, mentorship, faith, and a belief that setbacks often provide the foundation for future growth. Whether leading an orchestra, training teachers, or working one-on-one with students, Jennifer values openness, communication, lifelong learning, and community. She hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians and educators to embrace their unique paths, trust the learning process, and use music as a force for connection and service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, building meaningful relationships, and earning the trust of my colleagues and students. Mentorship has also played an important role in my growth, especially the guidance I received from Professor Peter Zazofsky. His support helped shape my approach to my work and encouraged me to learn from both successes and setbacks. I believe that every experience, including challenges and failures, has contributed to my growth and development.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came from Professor Peter Zazofsky, who encouraged me to pursue a path that was uniquely my own. Rather than simply following the traditional performer-focused path within my department, he encouraged me to embrace my identity as a Christian educator and recognize the value of the work I was called to do. That advice gave me the confidence to create a career that aligned with my strengths, values, and purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this field to embrace setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth. The challenges we experience often shape us and prepare us for future success. Stay open to the unique path your experiences create, trust your journey, and recognize that your individual perspective and contributions have value.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is building leadership credibility and establishing trust, especially in situations where you may be leading individuals with more experience than you. For example, directing an amateur orchestra with older and experienced musicians requires strong communication, respect, and confidence. At the same time, there are many opportunities to grow, including training future educators, expanding effective string-teaching methods, and sharing knowledge on a broader scale. I hope to continue being a trusted resource for new string educators and contribute to the continued growth of the field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are openness, clear communication, lifelong learning, community, faith, and resilience. I believe in creating meaningful connections with others, continuing to grow through every experience, and approaching challenges with perseverance. My faith and commitment to serving others guide the way I approach both my professional work and personal life.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.