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Inspired by the power of music to connect people, ideas and communities, Jennifer Drake is a conductor, violist, teacher, clinician, and camp director.  The most enthusiastic musician you will ever meet, Jennifer is known for her versatility, humor, and energy. Jennifer has been a transformative force for the arts in Boise since 1999.  She is the Music Director of the Serenata Orchestra, the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestras. The Boise Phil Youth Orchestra recently expanded to include a third orchestra to keep pace with the fast growing Treasure Valley area.  The Serenata Orchestra is known for its innovative, inspirational thematic programming that engages and involves the audience  and community in new ways. Jennifer is also the founder and driving force behind Idaho Viola Camp. She is also the co-artistic director for the Idaho Orchestra Institute. Both camps provide students with unique outdoor experiences, in addition to high quality musical engagement.

Jennifer is a highly sought after teacher and clinician. Her students range in age from 10 to 80, and enjoy success in a variety of musical endeavors, including performing in ensembles,  earning college scholarships, consistent high rankings in contests, all while maintaining the love and enjoyment of making music. As a clinician, Jen is known for her infectious energy and ability to engage with ensembles of all levels.  Recent clinics have been held in Oregon, Indiana, South Carolina, Washington, Texas, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Idaho.  In 2023, she conducted the Texas, South Carolina and Minnesota All State Orchestras. In 2024, Jennifer conducted the Minnesota and Alabama All State Orchestras, the Montana AA Orchestra, as well as the Boise Philharmonic School and Family Concerts. She was a clinician for the 2024 Music for All festival in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Vivo Strings Institute. In 2025, Jennifer will conduct the New Mexico All State Orchestra.

Jennifer has been a conductor for Opera Idaho, leading the 2019 performance of “As One” and the 2023 performance of “An American Dream”.  She will be working with Gemma Arts in 2024 as they launch  The New Voice Festival. She is the principal violist for the Boise Baroque Chamber Orchestra, as well as a section violist for the Boise Philharmonic. Jennifer has enjoyed an international chamber music career, performing at the 33rd International Viola Congress in Reykjavik, Iceland and the International Bass Clarinet Convention in Rotterdam, Holland. She has performed in  Denmark, Romania, Holland, Spain, Austria, Italy and throughout the United States.

Recent awards and honors include receiving an Alexa Rose Foundation grant, being named a winner of the 2018 International Conducting Workshop and Competition, and receiving a fellowship with the Allentown Symphony for the 2017-18 season.

She has also been the cover girl for HerLife magazine. When she is not living the obviously glamorous lifestyle that being a conductor and cover girl must afford, she is calling the vet for her dogs Fergus and Cameron, thinking of how to avoid grocery shopping, being a very mediocre CrossFitter and planning trips with her husband, Chad Marvin, in their 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon Camper. Jen and Chad climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2016. She has also completed a 70.3 Ironman as well as RAGBRAI, the bike ride across Iowa.