Jessi Vandagriff loves teaching and playing the bassoon!
She was formerly an adjunct professor of bassoon at BYU-Idaho and has also taught for Brigham Young University, Alpine School District, the Crescent School of Music, Aspen Winds, and Art City Music Academy. She maintains a blog for bassoon teachers at www.teachbassoon.com, a site of Kodaly-inspired singing lessons for children at www.singsolfa.com, a resource for LDS families using the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling at www.ldscharlottemason.com, a blog of homeschool tips and tricks at homeschool.vandagriff.org, and last but not least, she is the co-creator of the sacred music review site Mormon Musician. Mormon Musician used to be its own site, but now all of its content is available at www.vandagriff.org.
For information on private and group bassoon, reed making, and piano lessons, please contact her through this site. All lessons are taught in her home studio in Orem, Utah. Lesson times are limited, as Jessi spends most of her time with her husband, two children, and the BYU library (as she works toward another graduate degree).
Jessi enjoys playing in all types of ensembles. She especially likes the challenge that comes with playing for opera & ballet orchestras.
Orchestral Experience
Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Provo, UT, Principal Bassoon, 2019-present
Ballet West, Salt Lake City, UT, Substitute Bassoon, 2021
Utah Lyric Opera, Provo, UT, Principal Bassoon, 2012-2014
Utah Symphony and Opera, Salt Lake City, UT, Substitute Bassoon, 2011
Timpanogos Symphony, Highland, UT, Principal Bassoon 2011 – 2012
BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, Provo, UT, Principal & Contrabassoon, 2002 – 2011
BYU Chamber Orchestra, Provo, UT, Co-principal & Contrabassoon, 2007 – 2010
Utah Valley Symphony, Provo, UT, Substitute Bassoon, 2010-present
Chamber Music Experience
Aspen Winds, Woodwind Quintet, 2011-2013
Deer Valley Music Festival, 2010-2011
Utah Baroque Ensemble, 2010
Ballet, Musical Theater & Opera Experience
UVU Opera, Orem, UT
Tales of Hoffman 2022
La Boheme 2022
La Traviata 2021 (sub)
Ballet West, Salt Lake City, UT
Nutcracker 2021 (sub)
Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Provo, UT
A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2022
Coppelia 2022
Nutcracker 2019, 2021, 2022
Legend of Timpanogos 2019
Utah Vocal Arts Academy, Utah County, UT
Rusalka 2022
The Marriage of Figaro 2021
Gianni Schicchi 2021 (sub)
Utah Lyric Opera, Provo, UT
Carmen 2014
La Boheme 2013
La Traviata 2012
BYU Theater Ballet, Provo, UT
Cinderella 2011
Martha Graham Dance Company, Provo, UT
Panorama 2011
BYU Opera, Provo, UT
Don Giovanni 2009
Tales of Hoffman 2008
Marriage of Figaro 2007
Book of Gold 2005
La Boheme 2004
Abinadi 2003
Community Productions, Orem, UT
The Music Man 2002
Little Mary Sunshine 1999
Special Thanks
Many graphics on this site would not be possible without the efforts of fellow bassoonist and graphic designer, Chelsea Hurst. Jessi also wishes to thank her husband and server admin, Morgan Vandagriff. Additional thanks go to Joseph Sowa, Ben Crowder and Bradley Burgess for their contributions to the sacred music portion of the site. Thank you, friends!