Jennifer Linn brings three decades of studio teaching experience to her prolific output as a composer and arranger. Her catalog of more than 300 works published by major houses reflects deep understanding of what student pianists need to grow, grounded in her own performance training at the UMKC Conservatory where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees with distinction.
Beyond the studio, Linn has shaped piano pedagogy at the university level and spent a decade as Manager of Educational Piano at Hal Leonard, positions that allowed her to work with teachers across North America and internationally. Her clinician work in the US, Canada, and India, combined with recognition including the 2013 UMKC Alumni of the Year award and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, reflects her sustained impact on music education.
Why we love this
Linn captures something essential in this piece: the rapid flutter and energy of a hummingbird translated into piano language that intermediate students actually want to play. The writing balances technical challenge with genuine musicality, so students build real skills without the sense of grinding through an exercise.
What to expect
Delicate and quicksilver, this piece captures motion and lightness without feeling insubstantial. The energy feels natural and playful rather than frantic, inviting performers to find joy in technical precision.
Who it's for
This three-page piece sits perfectly for late elementary through early intermediate pianists ready for more sophisticated rhythmic and textural ideas. It works well for students who respond to programmatic music and enjoy the challenge of maintaining clarity in faster passages.
How to get the most out of it
Keep the figuration light and buoyant by thinking of the notes as quick pulses rather than individual attacks; imagine the weight resting at the fingertips
Practice hands separately first, then slowly with separate rhythms before combining them; this prevents the ensemble from becoming muddy
Pay attention to dynamic shape within phrases rather than playing at one static level; small swells will bring out the piece's natural contour
Listen closely to pedal use; a light touch with the sustain pedal colors the texture without obscuring the rapid passage work
How to use it
Include this on a spring or early summer recital when programming lighter character pieces alongside more substantial works. Its modest length and programmatic title make it an excellent choice for a younger student's first solo performance opportunity, or pair it with other Linn pieces to showcase her gift for accessible yet musically satisfying writing.
Skills your students will build
Maintaining clarity and separation in rapid figuration across both hands
Controlling finger dexterity and independence at moderate tempos
Shaping phrases through dynamic nuance and pedal awareness
Balancing melodic and accompaniment lines in the same hand
Building confidence with contemporary character pieces
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