-Jennifer graduated from Jordan High School in 1990. She was active in:
Speech
Band
Choir
Show Choir
Knowledge Bowl
National Honor Society
Fall Play
Spring Play
One Act

-At JHS Jennifer received the National Choral Award, the John Phillip Sousa Award, the President Academic Fitness Award, All-State Choir, and was First and Second in State for speech. She was also 1990 class Valedictorian.

-After graduating from JHS, Jennifer attended and graduated from DePaul University of Chicago, Illinois in 1995 with a Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance degree (summa cum laude). She continued her education and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Music and Vocal Performance degree in 1997.

-Her vast variety of skills include performing as an opera singer; playing piano, violin, and flute; and performing in dance.

-Winner of the Ivey Award for best performance and recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Grant.

-Jennifer appeared in the 1999 movie Drop Dead Gorgeous as an opera singer. She also was the singing voice of Jona in the animated short film Jona/Tomberry, and was the winner of the Cannes Festival for Short Animation for her voice work. Finally, she was also the voice of Jona in the animated short film Monster of Nix.

-Jennifer has done television commercials for Hormel, Sun Country, Sleep Number, Walmart, and Slumberland, and she has performed voice-over for General Mills.

-Jennifer’s vast stage credits of theater, music theater, and opera were on display at various local theaters: Minnesota Orchestra, Nautilus Music Theater, Berkeley Repertory, American Repertory, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Guthrie Theater, Skylark Opera, and the Minnesota Opera.

-Engaged in music education for 10 years in Minnesota schools through her show, Opera Demystified, written and performed in collaboration with her sister, Christina Baldwin. She continues to collaborate in shows and in the classroom with Christina, her favorite colleague.

-Jennifer is co-founder of the experiential education organization, World Endeavors, with her husband Thomas Peden. Headquartered in Minneapolis, W.E. has sent thousands of students abroad for professional internships in over 20 countries since its inception in 2002.

-Jennifer has also performed at the Moving Company, the Ordway, and the History Theater. She was also a featured guest on the “Prairie Home Companion” radio show.

-Jennifer lives with her husband, Thomas, and two sons, August and Miles, in Minneapolis.