# Jennifer Thomas (pianist)

Jennifer Thomas is an American pianist, violinist, composer, performing artist, and recording artist. She was classically trained starting at the age of 5, and began composing in 2003, later releasing her debut album in 2007.
Thomas has issued eight albums, Oceans, was released in June 2024, and debuted at number 3 in the Billboard Classical Crossover music charts. Her 2018 album The Fire Within also debuted at number 3 in the Billboard Classical music charts, number 2 in their Classical Crossover music charts, and number 25 in the Top Heatseekers.
Several of her original compositions and arrangements have been used in routines by International Skating Union Ice skaters at the 2022 Winter Olympics and by 2020 Summer Olympics gymnasts.
Thomas's YouTube video recordings have achieved a total of over 16 million views, with over 4 million viewing a live concert performance of her arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" from her 2015 Christmas album, Winter Symphony. This performance was in December 2015 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, with the Ensign Symphony & Chorus.

## Early life

Thomas grew up near Seattle, Washington. She got her first toy piano at the age of 3 and began formal lessons on both the piano and violin at the age of 5, under the tutelage of her mother, Carolyn Southworth. Her brothers also learned piano, violin, and cello from their mother. Jennifer and her older brother played in grade school orchestras, with Southworth as a conductor's assistant. Thomas continued to train classically and was involved in many recitals and piano adjudications through her teen years. She played with various youth orchestras and high school orchestras. She performed at her high school graduation and later went to Brigham Young University–Idaho.
At Brigham Young University–Idaho, Thomas studied piano under Professor Stephen Allen. She was a member of the university's Piano Ensemble group and accompanied the college choir and many vocal/instrumental students as well as playing violin in the university symphony. Thomas also competed in the university's Concerto Competition, where she took second place performing the Piano Concerto No. 3 (Prokofiev).
After college graduation, Thomas moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was a regular performer with the Temple Square Concert Series and played violin in the Murray Symphony orchestra. While performing with the Murray Symphony, Thomas was a featured soloist on the Edward MacDowell Piano Concerto No. 2. She eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she performed as a violinist with the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and worked for the Seattle Symphony in the Education Department. It was during her time working for the Seattle Symphony when she started composing her own original music.

## Career

Thomas is known for writing and performing piano-centered orchestral music from classical music to crossover music and cinematic orchestral epic music. While most of her works are original, she also covers classical pieces as well as pop music and movie soundtracks. Thomas has also composed film scores. She won the Gold Medal of Excellence in the 2011 Park City Film Music Festival for "Music in a Short Film" as well as a 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Film Score for Documentary/Short".
Thomas' third album, Illumination, won "Album of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" at the 2013 IMC Awards. In October 2015 Illumination also won the "Classical Song of the Year" International Music and Entertainment Association Award, and the Enlightened Piano Radio Award for "Best piano album with instrumentation" at Carnegie Hall New York City – where she performed live at the awards ceremony.
Winter Symphony, Thomas' fourth album was released in November 2015. Mixed by five time Grammy Award winner Brian Vibberts, contributors included Glen Gabriel, Ricky Kej and Taylor Davis (violinist). Following the album release, Thomas performed concerts at Salt Lake City, Atascocita, Texas and the Benaroya Hall Seattle. The album has received many favorable reviews and during 2016 won several prestigious awards.
In March 2017, Thomas arranged an orchestral cover of the Beauty and the Beast (Disney song) featuring cellist Armen Ksajikian to coincide with the release of the Walt Disney Pictures and Mandeville Films movie Beauty and the Beast (2017 film). During July 2017 Thomas collaborated with poet J.ournal to produce a double award-winning track and video Nine Twelve, a powerful 9/11 reminder message, October 2017 saw a 10-year special re-mastered edition of her 2007 album Key of Sea.
On 12 October 2018, Thomas widely released a Billboard charting classical/cinematic music styled album titled The Fire Within which she previewed live in concert at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. During the winter of 2018 a composition by Thomas, A Beautiful Storm, was used in ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating gold medal programmes by Rika Kihira from Japan. Following this a partnership was established with Avex Entertainment to promote her album Key of Sea in Japan
Commencing June 19, 2019, Thomas embarked on a well-received summer concert tour of the western United States. During 2019 more ice skating recognition of her music continued when her composition "Illumination" was performed to in a free skate program by American Alysa Liu to win the ISU Junior Grand Prix in the United States. Liu retained the title in 2020 skating to the same composition. 2020 also saw Cha Jun-hwan win the South Korean figure skating championships performing to the Thomas and Kimberly StarKey composition The Fire Within.
In March 2021, Thomas's music was performed in the 2021 World Figure Skating Championships by Rika Kihira, Cha Jun-hwan and Alexandra Feigin and in April by Rika Kihira for the ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating.
The 2020 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo, Japan July 2021, saw her original composition Winter Symphony performed by Russian Olympic Committee gold medallist gymnast Vladislava Urazova and her arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy used in a routine by 21st placed finalist gymnast Lee Yun-seo from South Korea. At the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing China, Karen Chen representing Team USA (who won a silver medal) skated to a Jennifer Thomas, Escala (group) and Hugo Choinard mix of "Requiem for a Tower" and "Requiem for a Dream", composed by Clint Mansell.
In December 2023 Thomas released her 7th album 'Classical Reimagined Vo1 1' featuring her own piano arrangements of classical works.
After four years working on the special project on 7 June 2024 she released a new award winning album 'Oceans' and appeared on the cover of Crossover Music Magazine Vol.35.

## Personal life

Thomas is married to Will Thomas, an ultra-marathon competitor who, in 2015, competed in the 106-mile race Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France. Together, they have three children and reside in the Seattle, Washington area.
Thomas has traced her heritage through her maiden name of Southworth, and on 28 March 2023 she visited Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire, England, which was built by Gilbert de Southworth (b. 1270). She was bestowed with honorary membership of the hall.

## Discography
### Albums

| Year | Album |
| 2024 | Oceans |
| 2023 | Classical Reimagined, Vol. 1 |
| 2018 | The Fire Within - featuring Tina Guo |
| 2017 | Key of Sea (10 Year Special Edition) |
| 2015 | Winter Symphony (Jennifer Thomas album) |
| 2012 | Illumination (2012) |
| 2009 | The Lullaby Album, Vols 1 & 2 |
| 2007 | Key of Sea (2007) |
All Music
Thomas also features on the following albums;
| 2023 | "Nine Twelve" - from the album Poems and Music Vol 1 by J.ournel. |
| 2022 | Epic Women - The Shero's Journey |
| 2020 | Love is - from the album 'Between Worlds' by Felica Fererri. |
| 2020 | Father Can You Hear Me - from the album 'Fearless' by Alexa Ray and Randall Jermaine. |
| 2018 | Spring of Fire – 92 Keys – Life and Death |
| 2017 | Sounds Of Christmas (MPi 2017 Edition) |
| 2015 | Merry Christmas – Viktoria Tocca |
| 2015 | Dream It – Viktoria Tocca |
| 2015 | Love Language album (Grammy nomination 2015) – Wouter Kellerman 'Turning Page' piano Jennifer Thomas. |
| 2014 | These Miles – Jonathan Estabrooks |
| 2014 | Roads: The Many Miles Music Artists (2014) – Into the Forest |
| 2009 | The Best of Relaxation: A Lifescapes Music Collection - Playing Viola |
| 2007 | Best of the Swan Lake: 2007 Moving Image & Music Award – Fly Away, Release, The Tempest |
Discogs

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Category | Work | Result |
| 2024 | Cannes Independent Shorts | Best Music Video | Winner |
| 2024 | Hollywood Independent Music Awards | Underwater Carnival Ride from the album Oceans | Won |
| 2023 | Prague International Sound Video Awards | Etude for the Dreamer | Won |
| 2022 | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | The Adventurer - Epic/Orchestral | Nominated |
| 2020 | Classical Song of the Year International Music and Entertainment Awards | The Fire Within | Won |
| 2020 | Music Video of the Year International Music and Entertainment Awards | The Fire Within | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Instrumental Music Video The Indie Gathering International Festival | The Fire Within | Won |
| 2019 | Best Music Video Silicon Beach Film Festival | The Fire Within | Won |
| 2019 | Contemporary Classical/Instrumental Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Glorious | Nominatated |
| 2019 | Best Classical/Opera/A Cappella Peace Song Awards | Glorious | Nominatated |
| 2019 | Best Music Video Peace Song Awards | The Fire Within | Nominatated |
| 2018 | Producer/Production (with Glen Gabriel) Hollywood Music in Media Awards | The Fire Within | Nominatated |
| 2018 | Classical Artist of the Year – IMEA Awards | Key of Sea (10 Year Special Edition) | Nominated |
| 2018 | Classical Album of the Year – IMEA Awards | Key of Sea (10 Year Special Edition) | Nominated |
| 2018 | Music Video of the Year – IMEA Awards | A Beautiful Storm | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Spoken Word – Roundglass Music Awards | Nine Twelve (with J.ournal) | Won |
| 2017 | Best Message Song/Social Impact – Music Genre Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Nine Twelve (with J.ournal) | Won |
| 2017 | Best Independent Music Video – Music In Visual Media Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Nine Twelve (with J.ournal) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Original Score – Short Film – Music In Visual Media Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Desert Rose | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Music Video – Global Peace Song Awards | Alleluia | Won – Jury Vote |
| 2016 | Holiday Album of the Year – International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Classical Artist of the Year – International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Nominated |
| 2016 | Classical Song of the Year – International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Music Video of the Year – International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Carol of the Bells | Nominated |
| 2016 | Global Peace Song Awards – Opera/Classical | Eventide | Won – Public Vote |
| 2016 | Global Peace Song Awards – A Cappella/Choral | Alleluia | Won – Jury Vote |
| 2016 | Best Music Video – Utah Music Awards | Carol of the Bells | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Cinematography in a Music Video – Utah Music Awards | Carol of the Bells (cinematographer Tel Stewart) | Won |
| 2016 | Best Original Instrumental Song – Utah Music Awards | Winter Symphony (Jennifer Thomas album) | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best in Holiday Genre – Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Best LIVE Classical Performance (Live at Benaroya Hall) – Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Music Video of the Year Award (Alleluia) – Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Best Classical Music Video (Over $5,000) – Alleluia – Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2016 | Best Female Classical Artist – Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Classical Song – Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Nominated |
| 2016 | Holiday Album of the Year – Enlightened Piano Radio Awards | Winter Symphony | Nominated |
| 2016 | Global Music Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Silver Medal |
| 2016 | Album of the Year – Top 20 of 2015 Music Critic Michael Debbage | Winter Symphony | Won |
| 2015 | Classical Song of the Year – International Music and Entertainment Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2015 | Best Orchestral Piano Album – Enlightened Piano Radio Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2013 | Album of the Year – Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2013 | Artist of the Year – Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2013 | Best Soundtrack Artist – Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2013 | Best Classical Artist – Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won |
| 2013 | Best Neo-Classical Album – Zone Music Reporter Awards | Illumination | Nominated |
| 2012 | Top Female Artist of the Year – Classical Crossover UK | Illumination | Won |
| 2012 | The Indie Award – Classical Crossover UK | Illumination | Won |
| 2012 | Best Original Score – Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Minuet | Won |
| 2012 | Best Contemporary/Orchestral Song – Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Illumination | Nominated |
| 2012 | Piano Heaven UK | Illumination | Won |
| 2012 | Best Classical Song – Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Moonlight | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Classical Song – Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Toccata and Fugue (Illumination) | Nominated |
| 2011 | Gold Medal of Excellence – Park City Film Music Festival | Minuet | Won |
| 2008 | Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards – Audience Vote Award | Fly Away | Won |
| 2007 | Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards – Digital Film | Release | Won |

## Film and Televised ice skating and gymnastics events coverage

* 2022 Team USA Figure skating at the 2022 Winter Olympics - 'Requiem for a Tower' and 'Requiem for a Dream', mix, performed by Karen Chen.
* 2021 2020 Summer Olympics Gymnastics - Two works performed, Winter Symphony performed by Vladislava Urazova and her arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Lee Yun-seo
* 2021 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating 'The Fire Within' performed by Rika Kihira.
* 2021 2021 World Figure Skating Championships - Two works performed, 'The Fire Within' by Rika Kihira and Cha Jun-hwan, 'Moonlight' by Alexandra Feigin.
* 2020 South Korean Figure Skating Championships Senior gold medal won by Cha Jun-hwan to the program of an original Thomas composition The Fire Within (Jennifer Thomas album).
* 2020 US Figure Skating Championships gold medal won by Alysa Liu to the program of New World Symphony from the album Illumination composed by Thomas
* 2019 2019 ISU Jr Grand Prix Final figure skating gold medal won by Alysa Liu to the program of New World Symphony from the album Illumination composed by Thomas
* 2018 2018 NHK Trophy Grand Prix figure skating gold medal won by Rika Kihira to the program of A Beautiful Storm composed by Thomas
* 2017 Film Score "Desert Rose"
* 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Hannah Miller, Short program
* 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Zagreb, Karen Chen
* 2013 International Skating Union, Angela Wang JGP Baltic Cup Junior Ladies Short program
* 2013 "Running the Edge", directed by Matt Trappe, song placements
* 2011 Film score "Minuet", directed and written by Ryan K. McNeal, score by Jennifer Thomas
* 2012 National Basketball Association Sports placements
* 2012 NBC Universal Sports placements
* 2014 MGM Equal Justice (TV series) placements
* 2008 "Reasons", Poor Boyz Productions