JENNIFER A. STATKUS BLOK
Oboe
Birthday:
May 1, 1971
Hometown: Oak Lawn, IL
(south suburb of Chicago)
Family: Married Jamison
Blok Sept. 1, 1996; three children – Peter (9), Nathan (7), Hannah (3)
Pet: Currently: 2
laying hens (Goldie and Sharku) and 3 Guinea Pigs (Cupcake, Frosting and
Whisper)
Education: Bachelor of
Music in Music Therapy from the University of Evansville, Indiana, May
1993; clinical internship completed at Camarillo State Hospital and
Developmental Center Feb 1994
Joined GCWE: Fall 1993,
took leave at 1995 Season, resumed with 1998 Season to present
Other Groups: Camarillo
Community Band, Praise Team at Trinity Presbyterian Church (elec. keyboard
bass and vocals), Children’s Music and Worship Leader at Trinity,also.
Self-portrait: A
creative-to-a-fault homeschool mother of three, Scout leader, Children’s
Ministry Leader, Music Teacher, and just someone who simply loves playing
her oboe.
Favorite Saying: “It’s
easier to ask for forgiveness, than to ask permission.”
Pet Peeves: Interruptions,
disorganization, water puddled anywhere it is not supposed to be (I will
inevitably find this water and drop something important into it), and
chicken poop on the sidewalk
Favorite Movie: I am an
incurable romantic, so any romantic comedy will do.
Who would play you in a movie:
I used to say Julia Roberts, but give it a couple of years
and it’s gonna be Shirley MacLaine in Steel Magnolias!
Walter Mitty Fantasy:
???????????????
Most memorable moment in band:
Orchestra, actually: While I was pregnant with our first child, I was
playing with the Humboldt Symphony. We were rehearsing Tchaikovsky’s 6th
Symphony and during a rather LOUD trumpet fanfare, I felt a huge jolt from
inside! It was the first time I had felt him move- we then decided if it
was a boy, we would name him ‘Peter.’ Incidentally, the trumpet must have
made quite an impression on him – he chose the trumpet for elementary band
this year.
Inspiration: What
actually inspires me is when I meet people who say “Oh, I USED TO play an
instrument in high school/college.” That really inspires me to keep on
playing, knowing that I am beating the odds.
Best-kept secret: Shhh,
I still play on the Selmer 120 plastic oboe I had in high school (don’t tell
anyone).
Favorite foods: Pizza,
milk or white chocolate – not dark, multi-grain cereals, and COFFEE!!!
Hobbies:
Sewing/quilting, reading, gardening, hiking/camping
Bad habit:
Procrastination. BTW, I’ve had this Featured Member Info waiting to be
completed on my desktop for several months now…
Three things always found in your refrigerator:
Silk Vanilla Soy Milk, Peanut Butter (yes, in the fridge… ant infestation
years ago freaked me out), and a whole host of expired condiments
Most influential teachers:
Dr. Edwin Lacy (UE advisor and WW Quintet coach). Pierre Roy (Oboe
instructor)
Profession: Private
Lesson Music Teacher (Piano, Oboe, Guitar), Classical/Latin Centered
Homeschool Administrator, Homeschool Co-op Music Literature & History
Instructor – and usually keeping one ear to the Music Therapy scene, lest I
manage to outlive my children and they actually graduate out of my care.
Luxury defined: Having
enough time to complete a project to MY satisfaction
Books at bedside: “The
Well Trained Mind: A Guide to a Classical Education at Home” by Susan Wise
Bauer
Favorite piece of music:
R. Vaughan Williams: Concerto for Oboe and Strings (won a concerto
competition with that one!)
Place you'd most like to be stranded:
A country garden with my family and the internet!
Last words: How many
oboe players does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but she'll go
through 30 to 40 bulbs to find the best one.
This site was last updated 04/05/08