Shannon Janssen was the November 2002, featured artist of the month on Instrumental Weekly. Below, Jimmy Dlugosinski interviews Shannon about her music.

A Few Words with Shannon Janssen...

With her debut release in 2001 and her sophomore effort just released in October 2002, Iowa-based Shannon Janssen has burst onto the instrumental scene with grace and style.

In our exclusive interview with Shannon, we found out what it's like to be a new artist among so many others...

IW - Since you're a relatively new name to many music fans, tell us a bit about yourself.

SHANNON - I live in a small town in Iowa near one of the major cities where I commute back and forth to play. I don't like calling it work, because to me, it's no work at all. I play the piano for Von Maur Department Stores, Collins Plaza Hotel and for other various events, parties, functions and receptions anywhere from 20-30 hours a week. When I'm not performing, I'm writing music, gardening, renovating our Victorian home or spending time with family.

I've been playing the piano and making up tunes almost as far back as I can remember. My first memory of music was my mother singing to me. I began piano lessons at the age of eight with a piano teacher from Austria. She had such a heavy accent; it was difficult for me to understand what she was saying. She was very strict, and I was scared of her, but she taught me discipline, and I am grateful for all that she taught me.


IW- As you began playing piano at a young age, did you know then that you wanted to make albums?

SHANNON - No, it wasn't until recent years that I seriously thought about it. I did think about performing though…I remember at a very young age imagining that I was playing for a large audience. Then when I was finished playing my song, I would stand up, face the empty chairs and take a bow…I laugh when I think of it now.

I probably would have never recorded my music if it hadn't been for my mother. I married young and my husband, not understanding this music I have in my heart and soul, was not always supportive of my musical talent. He could not understand the time I wanted to spend at the piano.

Therefore, not being able to share my passion I suppressed my music and pursued other things. (I did continue to take piano lessons with other teachers, practicing only when I was alone. I also became a church pianist.) In my heart, I knew that music was where I needed to be, but being young and lacking in confidence, I pursued many different jobs in many different fields from decorating to cosmetology, working mostly in jobs where I could be creative.

During this time of my life, my mom would continually encourage me to do what I love and what is in my heart…music. She suggested that I teach. "I didn't want to teach," I would tell her, "I just want to play. I love to play…I want to play music for a living…that's the only thing I want…it's the only thing I've ever wanted. No one would want me to teach their children piano lessons; I have no college education in that area." I can't tell you how many times we had this conversation over a period of many years.

We've all heard the old saying…listen to your mother. Well, my mom was right. After years of chasing unfulfilling jobs, I finally did begin to teach… just a couple of neighborhood children. Before I knew it, I was teaching forty students per week, with a two-year waiting list. I was overwhelmed.

It has been said that when a person teaches, they learn right along with their students, and that is exactly what happened to me. For twelve years I taught piano lessons, and as I shared my talent with others, I too grew musically and creatively. Not only did I grow, but my husband did too. He began to see these children blossom musically, which in turn played a major part in the support he now gives me. I began writing my compositions down on manuscript paper and writing little pieces for my students to play and learn from.

I started playing for Von Maur Department Stores, just a couple days a week in the mornings and early afternoons before the piano students would arrive. Wow, was that refreshing for me…how I love to play the piano. I met many people who would stop by the piano to visit with me. Soon I had a following of dear people who liked my music and encouraged me to record, so they could "take me home with them". It was then that I began seriously thinking of recording my compositions.

Although it was a very difficult decision, one of the hardest I've ever made, I decided to give up teaching so I could perform more and have the time to write and record. I wasn't getting any younger, and I knew I had to try to share this music that is in my heart, I had to know if it might touch others the way it touches me. I knew if I didn't record it now, I probably never would and would regret it in years to come…it was a wonderful experience for me to teach these precious children. I really believe being a piano teacher gave me the confidence to do what I'm doing now. I will one day to back to teaching, but I must now do this for me. I'm so glad I listened to my mother!


IW - Who are your major influences?

SHANNON - From my previous answers, I'm sure you gathered that my mother has influenced me. Also, my piano teachers, Mozart, Beethoven, David Lanz, Mark Pence (my producer).


IW - In your website biography, you say that you want instrumental music to paint a picture or tell a story without words. When sitting down to write a new piece of music, how does this approach help with your overall creative process?

SHANNON - There is a picture in my mind for every song I've written. I try to musically capture the scene in my mind, by painting the staff with notes. It would be like looking at a Thomas Kinkade painting and trying to imagine what that painting would sound like. What music would you hear if you could actually step into the frame? How would you describe that painting to someone who was blind by only using music?

Musically, what does romance sound like? What notes could describe a sunset? What melody could be used to convey contentment? Jealousy? A rainy morning? A blooming crab tree? These things I think of and ask myself while I'm writing.

Yes, I believe a story can be told with only music. I tell my story with every song I write. I want to add color with melody to chords that are black and white. I try to interpret musically what I'm seeing in my mind or feeling in my heart. I express myself best through music.


IW - You now have two albums to your credit. Tell us about the evolution of your debut release "Heart Journey".

SHANNON - The pieces on "Heart Journey" were written over approximately 3 years. I bought a digital piano, a computer and software that made writing a breeze. The only keyboard I had touched before getting a computer was the piano keyboard and had to teach myself how to use a computer. I was determined and learned. I had no clue where to go or who to talk to about recording my songs. (All of this was very new to me) It was shortly after that I met Mark Pence, my music producer who walked me along the recording path.

Originally, I had intended on recording just my piano solos. Mark presented the idea of having my music orchestrated, and once I heard a sample of what he could do with just one of my songs, there was no question that I would have him orchestrate the entire album. The whole experience was fun and exciting, and I learned so much. Before this adventure, I had never even seen the inside of a recording studio.


IW - In October 2002, you released your second album called "Piano Paintings". From the title, can one assume this relates to using music to paint a picture?

SHANNON - Yes… So many people have told me that my music is very visual. How it stirs memories from the past. How they could feel what I was feeling or see what I was seeing as I wrote. Some say my songs take them to another place or that they get lost in my music. Just as a painting is visual, the songs on "Piano Paintings" are visual. If you close your eyes and step into the frame these twelve Piano Paintings you might find yourself in another place.


IW - Which is preferable: Recording studio or live audience and why?

SHANNON - Wow…tough question. Most of the time when I perform, I am background music. I absolutely love that. I play anything I want to play, Oldies, Rock, Ragtime, Children's Songs, Classical, my own music…I really don't even consider it performing I guess. People walk by, some stop to talk, some make requests.

The few times I've had a concert I was so nervous, I was physically sick for the entire week before. But then at the recording studio, it's over and over again until everything is picture perfect. Hmm…I'm not sure. Ask me again in a couple years! :)


IW - What was your first public performance like?

SHANNON - That would have been my first recital, I guess. I was scared to death, but I did great! I work well under pressure, I'm told.


IW - If you could record with another artist, who would it be and why?

SHANNON - I would say David Lanz. I thoroughly enjoy his music. He plays with such feeling and emotion.


IW - What kinds of projects do you have on the horizon?

SHANNON - I would like to do a Christmas album next. I want take traditional Christmas songs with my own arrangements adding original preludes, interludes and postludes. I also have some great ideas for my next album of original songs.

One of my main goals right now is to promote my music. I have worked hard at getting my music into gift and music stores in Iowa and a couple out of state. I've gone from city to city talking to gift store owners giving them a CD to listen to and play in their stores. Most of them agree to sell it. We have found if they play it throughout their store, the music sells. I am looking for someone to help me with distribution. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for me to keep up with all this as the radius of stores becomes larger. Time is the issue. There just isn't enough of it! I'd much rather spend my time at the piano writing and performing.


IW - Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?

SHANNON - In 5 years, I hope to have at least 3 more albums completed and a national distribution. I read somewhere that to get a distribution, you have to be known. So, I will do what it takes to make myself known.


IW - Any advice for would-be pianists?

SHANNON - Yes… I would tell them to follow your dream, reach for that star and never stop believing in yourself. Practice really does make perfect and if you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen.


Shannon's new album Piano Paintings is available now. Visit www.shannonjanssen.com for more details.