Double Bass
Education
Jessica earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied Double Bass and received an Arts Leadership Certificate. She then earned her Master of Music degree from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music before receiving her Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University.
As a Performer
Jessica is a core member of the Washington Bach Consort and, in recent seasons, has also appeared with American Bach Soloists, Seraphic Fire, The Thirteen, Inscape Chamber Orchestra, Opera Lafayette, Washington National Cathedral Orchestra, New Orchestra of Washington, National Philharmonic, Washington Concert Opera, Urban Arias, and as a chamber music collaborator on a wide variety of projects.
As a Teacher
In addition to her work as a performer, Jessica is active as a teaching artist and clinician. In 2022, she was appointed to the faculty of George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music. She joined the faculty of the Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East in 2018 and has also served on the faculties of the Viola da Gamba Society Conclave and International Society of Bassists Conference. She is a regular guest lecturer in double bass pedagogy at the University of Maryland. From 2013 to 2016, she was the director of the Viola da Gamba Society of America Young Players Workshop, and her writing on classroom outreach has appeared in Early Music America.
At Levine
Jessica joined the Levine faculty in 2024.
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching methods focus on developing a solid technique rooted in traditional pedagogy while looking to the future and the past to enrich my students’ experience. I enjoy sharing the latest new repertoire for the double bass with my students and exploring new techniques and methods of approaching the instrument. At the same time, as a historical bass specialist, I build historically informed musicianship practices into my teaching as a way to foster stylish performances, spark creativity through the practice of ornamentation and improvisation, and develop research skills. I enjoy working with my students to explore a variety of solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, develop confidence in performing and auditioning settings, and use music as a medium to foster leadership and communication skills.
Jessica Powell Eig
More About Jessica
As a committed advocate for the arts, Jessica shares her expertise as a grant writer and fundraising consultant with many established and emerging arts organizations. From 2013 to 2015, she served on the Executive Committee of the Viola da Gamba Society of America as Membership Secretary, and she currently serves on the board of the Viola da Gamba Society of Greater Washington-Baltimore. Jessica is a member of the American Federation of Musicians (Local 161-710), the International Society of Bassists (ISB), and the Viola da Gamba Society of America. Learn more about Jessica on her website.