Jordan Bumgarner | Guitar (Acoustic + Electric), Drums, Ukulele
Tall, goofy, and still beardless, Mr. Jordan has been an active guitarist since he first picked up the instrument at the age of twelve. Over the years, Jordan has written, recorded, and performed in several bands spanning a variety of genres, from jazz to metal. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Grammy nominated artists and top ten vocalists from shows such as American Idol and X Factor. He even met his future wife, Jennifer, by auditioning for her band Lucrezio. Jordan and Jennifer were active for several years in Lucrezio, playing venues all over Chicago and throughout the Midwest. Eventually, the two would spend over a year touring the United States as an acoustic duo before trading in their road worn Jeep for a family car.
As a seasoned musician throughout Chicagoland, sharing his love for music in both venues and churches alike, Mr. Jordan has instructed students in guitar, drums, ukulele, and even a sprinkling of bass in his near two decades of teaching. He excels at bringing an understanding of the instrument to each of his students, implementing both theory and the chance to play a favorite song. Mr. Jordan is also a natural mentor and invests in the student, not just the success. No matter where the road has taken him, or will take him, Jordan is forever grateful for a life full of music.
Jennifer Bumgarner | Voice and Piano
“True confession – I wasn’t too sure at first about teaching. After some time touring the country with my husband, we were living in the hospitality of my mother-in-laws basement, which meant we soon needed to discover what was to come next. The music studio where Jordan was actively teaching just so happened to be looking for voice teachers. I knew that to ignore the opportunity would be to combat the age old saying “beggars can’t be choosers.” Although I had the head knowledge to teach, provided by excellent teachers that I had the pleasure of learning from in both classical voice and piano training, I was not so sure how that would translate to having students of my own. And frankly, nor did I trust that I would enjoy it. Well, it didn’t take long. Just a few lessons in and I was hooked. So it stands to this day, I love those few moments at the start of each lesson where I get to hear from my students about their day. I love the quiet joy they share when overcoming a challenge. I love seeing the value they feel as individuals capable of learning and creating. I love the discovery of art as a means to access both your head and your heart. I love knowing that music was created as a means for us to know our value as image bearers, and to instill that in a young persons life… well, that’s quite the privilege.”
Miss Jennifer holds a Bachelors Degree in Music and Communication from Houghton College in New York State and studied on Martha’s Vineyard as a part of the Contemporary Music Program, where she incorporated her classical training with a deep love for songwriting among music industry reps. After performing her original work as a solo artist, she quickly formed a band under the moniker ‘Lucrezio’ writing, touring, and recording in the Chicago area and surrounding states. Along with her husband and fellow Sparrow teacher, Jennifer toured nationwide as an acoustic duo in between roles as a Worship Arts Pastor, first at River Valley Community Church in Rockford, IL and then with Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. In addition to Jennifer’s solo project, Lucrezio has produced four studio albums and released one live album. They are currently writing for Volume II [Rise] of yet another original project ‘The Way We Are.’ Having begun teaching in 2014, she has fallen in love with the student-mentor relationship that she feels so privileged to take on, and is emphatic about instilling the developmental and expressive value of the arts in both children and adults alike.
