Candace Jorgensen

Candace Jorgensen has been a music enthusiast since she could move. Beginning with Suzuki piano at the ripe age of three, Jorgensen at age eight found her true calling of cello but it would take years to finally admit it. During this impressionable age, she studied with Carol Work, the late beloved teacher at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and avid Lincoln Symphony player.

At Doane College and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Jorgensen continued to study cello (under the tutelage of Tracy Sands) and education while performing every chance she got. (In downtime it was performing in jazz ensembles playing the bass – those callouses were beautiful.) After receiving her BA in Music Education and working on her master’s degree, she decided to marry her beau and move to Hong Kong.

While in Asia, Jorgensen taught and explored performing with her cello in local indie bands. After a few years, she moved back stateside and lived the true performer’s life. (a.k.a. work a desk job and perform at night.) During this time Jorgensen reveled in playing in musicals, which included Last Five Years, the Chicagoland premiere of Little Women, and the infamous In My Life. Once the Jorgensen’s reached their fill of Cubs and Blackhawk games, they hopped on cruise ships and performed and worked with the kids all over Europe and Northern Africa.

Dozens of countries later, Jorgensen moved back to Hong Kong to perform and assist in opening the American Vocal Studio. This stint in Hong Kong included learning to teach English through music in various schools and private companies, while Mr. Jorgensen performed in Metro Vocal Group throughout Asia.

After years of rice and siu lum bao (and countless anti-frizz serums), the Jorgensen’s decided they had been away from their families long enough and relocated to Omaha and found a home at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. Here Candace happily teaches in her private cello studio, as well as group classes and is the Director of Community Engagement for OCM, focusing heavily on the String Sprouts program. To check out her studio website, visit www.coffeecellist.wordpress.com

On a separate note, the eclectic couple owns and operates the coffee shop Accelerando Coffee House. For more on that adventure, visit www.accelerandocoffeehouse.com