Department of Music Faculty and Staff

Jessie Welsh, DMA, NCTM, is a passionate pedagogue and performer based in Bowling Green, KY. She received her doctorate in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University, where she was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award for TCU’s College of Fine Arts. Jessie completed her dissertation—“Student–First Piano Pedagogy”—on the topic of the student–teacher relational connection in the private piano studio. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University, where she received the Paul Vellucci Award based on the nomination of the piano faculty. Additionally, Jessie completed dual undergraduate degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education (K-12) from the University of Central Florida, graduating magna cum laude.

Jessie has a wide array of group and private teaching experience, including early childhood, K–12, university, and adult education. Currently, she is serving as Pedagogical Assistant Professor of Piano at Western Kentucky University, where she coordinates the group piano program; oversees the Minor in Piano Pedagogy and Graduate Piano Pedagogy programs; and teaches applied piano, pedagogy, and accompanying. In 2023, Jessie launched the Piano Laboratory Program at WKU—​a group and private teaching practicum for students enrolled in pedagogy coursework—​and in 2024, she instituted the new Minor in Piano Pedagogy. She serves as the Faculty Advisor for the WKU MTNA Collegiate Chapter, which was named the 2026 Collegiate Chapter of the Year by MTNA. Jessie has received multiple teaching Honors nominations through the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and has secured over $50,000 in grant funds from the WKU Sisterhood for student-led programs and technology updates to the Department of Music.

 

Prior to her time at WKU, Jessie served as an instructor at both Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University, operated a thriving studio in Dallas, TX, served as the pianist for Mercy Presbyterian Church, and held a longstanding collaborative position with The Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas. Jessie has also worked for The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, serving in various administrative, programming, and editing roles.

 

Committed to advancing the field of piano pedagogy, Jessie has been a featured presenter at every national pedagogy conference, as well as various state and regional conferences. Highlights include presenting at the College Music Society National Conference, the MTNA National Conference, the MTNA Collegiate Pedagogy Symposium, The Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum, The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and serving as the Chair of the Young Professionals Track for Pedagogy Saturday for MTNA. Additionally, Jessie served on the 2022-2023 MTNA Task Force on Young Professionals, Collegiate Chapters, and Collegiate Members, the 2023 MTNA National CEO/Executive Director Search Committee, and as a member of the 2023, 2025, and 2027 New Professionals Committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. In October 2026, Jessie will assume the role of President-Elect/Vice President for the Kentucky Music Teachers Association.

 

Jessie has been published by Piano Magazine, Piano Inspires Kids, American Music Teacher, MTNA e-Journal, and College Music Symposium. MTNA named Jessie as the 2022 recipient of the American Music Teacher Article of the Year Award and as the 2019 recipient of the MarySue Harris Studio Teacher Fellowship Award. Forthcoming publications will be featured by American Music Teacher and MTNA e-Journal. She has performed in master classes and lessons for well–renowned pianists, including Alessio Bax, Olga Kern, Rebecca Penneys, Veda Kaplinsky, and Adam Golka. Formative teachers include Harold Martina, Carol Leone, Sam Holland, Ann Gipson, and Cathy Lysinger.

 

Recent orchestral performances include Florence Price's Concerto in D Minor in One Movement (2026) and Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos in D Minor (2024, with Dr. Zachary Lopes), both with the WKU Symphony Orchestra. Other recent performances include an American Chamber Music recital, a solo silent film recital, collaborative programs featuring underrepresented composers, and premiering new works for two pianos by WKU composer, Matthew Herman. In recent years, Jessie has been an invited lecturer/performer at Jacksonville University, The University of Alabama, and Bellarmine University. She has also served as a frequent adjudicator/judge for MTNA local, state, and national affiliates. When not at the piano or in the classroom, Jessie enjoys reading, running with her crazy Vizsla, and outdoor adventures with her family.