Piano
Education
Jamila received a B.M. in Piano Performance from Indiana University. She then went on to acquire a M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Central Florida and a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from University of Miami.
Performance and Teaching Experience
Jamila has performed as a solo and chamber musician in summer festivals including the Banff Centre, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Mannes College, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where she studied with Gilbert Kalish, Robert McDonald, Boris Slutsky, Marc Durand, Dawn Upshaw and members of the Brentano and Tokyo String Quartets.
Jamila performs with members of the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera and collaborates with her brother and violinist, Suliman Tekalli, as the Tekalli Duo. Duo performances include the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series at the Chicago Cultural Arts Center, Concert Artists Guild series in New York City, and double concerto performances with the Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, and performances at Tripoli University as American Cultural Ambassadors partnered with the United States Embassy in 2010. Chamber recital performances have also taken her throughout Ecuador, in the cities of Quito, Cuenca and Loja.
As an educator, Jamila has served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Barry University in Miami, Florida and Graduate Assistant at the University of Miami and University of Central Florida. She has led piano workshop and masterclasses at the University of South Florida, Camp Encore Coda in Sweden, ME and adjudicated for the young musician’s competition at the Concurso Internacional de Música Clásica “Jóvenes Talentos” at Fronteras Musicales Abiertas in Cuenca, Ecuador. Jamila is currently Music Director at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Bethesda, MD. She is an active member of the Music Teacher’s National Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers, and Chamber Music of America.
Jamila is the first prizewinner of competitions including the Indiana Steinway Collegiate Piano Competition, Indiana University Concerto Competition and University of Miami Concerto Competition. Distinctions include finalist of the Stravinsky International Piano Competition, and Third Prize and National Finalist of the Baldwin Piano Competition.
At Levine
Jamila joined Levine’s Piano Program in 2018.
Teaching Philosophy and Approach
Music is a powerful vehicle for creative and personal expression. Music education helps to build confidence and in turn, encourage leadership for music lovers in performance in work and school. I work together students, specifically tailored to their uniqueness, in developing their own musical voice with healthy and effective piano technique. I provide these tools to showcase their musical ideas and encourage students to be their best, whether it is for an audience or for a personal setting.
Personal
Jamila enjoys cooking, traveling, attending live concerts, supporting the arts of all types and fitness.