Jennifer Schweigert is the orchestra director at Madison Middle School where she teaches students in grades 6-8 how to play one of the four stringed instruments and how to be a team player in an orchestra setting where all the parts and players must work together to form the music. She recently returned to teaching after several years of managing a local favorite breakfast restaurant. Teaching has always been a passion for Ms. Schweigert and she is excited return to work with the great students at Madison. Ms. Schweigert is also involved with Abilene Youth Strings and Abilene Youth Orchestra where she assists with weekly rehearsals and sectionals to supplement the music education local students receive. She grew up in Abilene and is a product of AISD. She graduated from Cooper High School in 2004. While a student at Cooper, she played viola in the Cooper Orchestra and played clarinet in the Awesome Cooper Band and Honor Band. She had the honor of performing with the All-Region band and orchestra each year. She was also one of the original members of the group Revolution before it even had a name! After graduating, she attended Texas Tech before transferring to Hardin-Simmon University. At Tech, she studied with Renee Skerik and was in the University Symphony Orchestra directed by Gary Lewis and the Going Band from Raiderland. During her time at HSU, Ms. Schweigert was a member of the Collegiate Orchestra, HSU Orchestra, HSU Concert Band and the World-Famous Cowboy Band. At HSU, she studied with Mona Wilson and Peter Neubert. She graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Ms. Schweigert has also been a member of FBC's Celebration Orchestra since 2005. She continues to perform on both instruments in a professional capacity in many community ensembles such as the Civic Orchestra of Abilene, Abilene Community Band, and various other chamber ensembles.