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Jenks’ concert career has been notable. He began performing choral music at age six, at one point taking part in an
impressive Carnegie Hall performance of The Magnificat, under the world-renowned composer and maestro John Rutter. After learning guitar as a young adult, Jenks was able to showcase a set of talents –
singing and playing guitar – rarely seen in combination in the classical world. He would go on to earn great praise for a series of solo concerts in France, Germany, and Italy. He has of course also
performed throughout his native Oregon; highlights of his stateside concert career have included performances at the Portland Wine and Arts Festival, the Newport Performing Arts Center, and Cycle Oregon.
Jenks provided the inaugural concert for the re-opening of the Elgin Opera (the Elgin Times noted that “he put on a tremendous show”). He has been a guest artist with the local Pro Arte Chamber
Orchestra, and was selected to perform in a special reception for Portland Mayor Vera Katz.
In addition to his performing schedule, Jenks is a highly sought-after guitar instructor in the Portland area. His approach has been informed by
some of the best guitar teachers in the world, including Ken Johnson (with whom Jenks studied at Colorado Christian University, graduating magna cum laude), David Franzen, Bryan Johanson, and Scott
Kritzer. Jenks has also performed in the master classes of world-renowned classical guitarists Christopher Parkening, Scott Tennant, Ricardo Iznaola, David Russell, Elliot Fisk, and Angel Romero.
As part of his commitment to pedagogy, Jenks is on staff as an adjunct faculty instructor at Portland Community College. More importantly, in 2001
he founded Portland Classic Guitar (PCG), which now serves as the Portland area’s only classical guitar teaching studio and guitar shop. PCG is the site of regular student recitals, and serves the needs
of hundreds of students of all skill levels and ages. Many of Jenks’ students have gone on to pursue their own musical careers.
PCG is also home to Portland’s only classical guitar concert series, which Jenks started in 2005. The response has been remarkable. In the words
of guitarist Ana Vidovic (one of the featured performers), the series is “quickly becoming one of the most prestigious in the country.” International in scope while maintaining a commitment to local
talent, the series has a reputation for presenting world-class performances in an intimate setting. It has earned a loyal following, and nowadays, most of the concerts sell out.
Jenks is available for lessons, concerts, weddings and corporate events. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Cassandra, and
his two sons, Zach and Grant.
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