WMP#112: Paiste Cymbal Endorsee, Pianist, Touring Musician, and Composer - Jenna Kopitske

Wisconsin Music Podcast

WISCONSIN MUSIC PODCAST AMPLFYING WISCONSIN MUSIC EPISODE 112 Jenna Kopitske

Jenna Kopitske is a drummer, pianist, and composer who has appeared at a wide range of venues throughout the state of Wisconsin for many years. She recently moved to Nashville, TN, and after a few months she picked up her first national tour drumming with country artist Waylon Nihipali to Washington, Nevada, and Hawaii. While in Nashville, she recently got endorsed by her favorite cymbal company, Paiste Cymbals. She operates her own business teaching piano and drum lessons as well as studying contemporary country, classic rock, blues, gospel, and pop music.

As a performer, Ms. Kopitske has gained experience in both live and studio settings. She is a freelance musician who has recorded many projects on drum-set, percussion, and piano in an array of styles. Additionally, Ms. Kopitske composes and licenses her own music. Commonly compared to the late piano composer George Winston, she similarly writes in the style of new age-contemporary with a wide, uplifting, and ambient nature. She began composing at a young age but released her debut EP in 2018 entitled Unheard Of. In 2021, she released her sophomore piano EP entitled Pride & Joy which sets the mood for easy listening and the blues. A year later, she released her first single entitled “Losing Light” with a sync intended focus. She plans to record her third studio album later in 2023. Ms. Kopitske recently received her BM studying music industry with an emphasis of music business at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She studied percussion at the university with Dr. Alison Shaw and Marisol Kuborn. Prior to graduation she completed a hybrid music publishing/sync internship at Primary Wave Music Publishing who are based in Los Angeles and New York City. Ms. Kopitske is now in the process of pitching her most well-known compositions “Cascade” and “Losing Light” to be used in film and television. Besides drumming on tour, Ms. Kopitske is also anticipating a career as a piano composer
in the film scoring industry.

Performance Experience
Waylon Nihipali, drummer of Nashville original and cover country band 2023-current
• Performed in Washington, Hawaii, and Nevada at Walla Walla Music
Fest, Grand Naniloa Crown Room, Grand Wailea Molokini Gardens,
Waikiki Beachcomer Hotel, Makawao Stampede Rodeo, Barking Sands
Navy Base, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country in Vegas
Madison Wolfe, drummer of Nashville original country band 2023-current
• Performed in Tennessee at the Ainsworth in Nashville
Jonny T-Bird & the MP’s, drummer of blues band 2019-2022
• Performed in Wisconsin at Summerfest, Turner Hall Ballroom, Osthoff
Resort, Gibson Music Hall, Harley-Davidson, blues festivals, awards
shows, and opened for Halestorm, YUNG BLEU, American Idol winner
Chayce Beckham, Lilith Czar, Blanco Brown, Frank Bang of Buddy Guy
Appleton Alliance Church, drummer of worship band 2021-2022
• Performed in Wisconsin at Appleton Alliance Church
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, percussionist and pianist 2019-2022
• Performed in Wisconsin in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Titan
Steel, Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Handbell Choir
Jenna Kopitske, original new age-contemporary and blues pianist 2014-current
• Performed in Wisconsin at Mile of Music, Osthoff Resort, Paper
Valley Hotel, Suicide Awareness Walk, Houdini Plaza, Riverview
Gardens, Grand Meridian, Appleton Farmers Market, Dogtoberfest,
Whistler’s Knoll, weddings, nursing homes, and awards shows
Appleton Rock School, drummer and keyboardist of various rock cover bands 2013-2019
• Performed in Wisconsin at Summerfest, Weidner Center, Appleton
Performing Arts Center, Lambeau Field, Gibson Music Hall, Octoberfest,
Electric City Experience, Cheesefest, WBAY-TV Cerebral Palsy Telethon,
benefits, local coffee shops
Recording Projects
“Losing Light” original new age-contemporary single on piano 2022
• Composed, recorded, and mixed piano at home studio in Wisconsin, mastered
at Rock Garden Studio with Marc Golde in Appleton, WI
“Play Time” original blues album by Jonny T-Bird & the MP’s 2022
• Wrote and recorded drums, wurlitzer, organ, and auxiliary percussion at
Hamtone Audio in Milwaukee, WI
“Pride & Joy” sophomore original piano album 2021
• Solo piano album recorded at UW Oshkosh Recording Studio in Oshkosh, WI
“Fighting Monsters” on Christian rapper Jon the Revalaytor’s single 2019
• Composed and tracked drums at Cherry Pit Studios
“O Come All Ye Faithful” on Tim Dorsey’s Christmas album 2019
• Wrote and recorded drums at OpenwindO Studios in Greenville, WI
“Unheard Of” debut original piano album 2018
• Solo piano album engineered at OpenwindO Studios
Honors/Awards
Nominee for Pianist of the Year, Wisconsin Area Music Industry 2023
Student Award for Excellence TV Episodic Entertainment Program, Titan TV 2023
Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee Awards, Finalist for Best Blues Band 2023
Honors Recitalist Award and Scholarship, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 2022
Oshkosh Fine Arts Association Scholarship 2022
Bill Tesch Music Scholarship, Boogie and the Yoyo’z 2019
Endowment of Music Excellence, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Music Department 2019
Rising Star in Art Award, James Thaldorf 2019
Nell M. Menn Music Scholarship, Community Foundation For The Fox Valley Region 2019
Nominee for Rising Star of the Year, Wisconsin Area Music Industry 2018-2019
Education
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh-Bachelor of Music September 2019-May 2023
Music Industry Major: Music Business Emphasis
Percussion studies with Dr. Alison Shaw and Marisol Kuborn
Graduation May 2023