Jane K (Evgeniya Kozhevnikova) is a composer, pianist, educator, and one of the founding members of the International Student Council. Jane is a proud recipient of various awards, including DownBeat Magazine’s Outstanding Performance award (Latin jazz, 2019), the “Music Now” contest—a part of Indiana State University’s Contemporary Music Festival, 1st and Special Prizes at the 2020 International Composers’ Competition Opus Ignotum, among others. Jane currently serves as a TA in UF’s undergraduate music theory program.
Jane has been on campus since Fall 2021 and has become an integral part of the School of Music’s scholarly pursuits and the greater Gainesville musical community. Jane holds two master’s degrees in Music Composition and Music Performance and is currently working on her doctorate in Music Composition.
What inspired you to study at the University of Florida?
I am originally from Yekaterinburg, Russia, and I first came to the US to pursue my master's degree in Music Composition with jazz emphasis at Western Michigan University. I knew I wanted to continue my education and get a doctoral degree, but finding a program that would fit my needs was hard. There is a huge divide between jazz and classical music in academia, and it also applies to the field of composition. One can pursue "jazz composition" and focus solely on it or go with "composition" in a broader sense, but that would likely exclude jazz. What appealed to me at the University of Florida is that it has a nice variety of music represented on the faculty and students' website.
What was your academic or professional journey before coming to UF?
My journey was not straightforward, to say the least. Back when I was finishing high school, I had so many interests that I did not know where to apply to. My parents made it clear though that I cannot apply to anything music-related and need to get a "real" profession. My first degree was in Information Technologies and, although I finished it and even worked some time in this sphere, it was clear to me that IT is not something I want to spend my life doing. More and more, I got professional opportunities to teach music and perform, so at one point I found myself working five jobs, gigging at nights in the clubs, while pursuing a degree in music.
What can you tell us about your current research projects?
My current research focus is text-setting analysis. My father was a poet and that resulted in my love for poetry. For my dissertation, I look at some poems by a great American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and analyze various text settings of her poems. Then, I compare composers' readings to the recordings of Millay's recitations and see how composers approached her text differently.
How have you adapted to life in Gainesville?
My husband and I moved to Gainesville in June 2021, and we live in the Southwest part, right across the street from the UF Beef Teaching unit. We've been enjoying walking around observing cows, but it took us a few months to realize there is a community garden so, we both became a part of the UF Organic Garden Collective and it has been a great experience so far. Depending on the season, we have a variety of plants and currently, there are lemongrass, turmeric, roselle, onions and garlic, rosemary, cilantro, dill, etc. This past summer, we also extended the beds and planted local grapes called muscadine. Gardening has a lot in common with composition, as I found out. We nurture a seed (=an idea), so that it can develop in a plant. There is such an abundance of ideas in nature and all us composers should do is to patiently help them grow.
What positive impact do you hope to make on using your UF education and experiences?
I want the field of composition and jazz to become friendlier towards female artists. I was at so many events that would not have any women composers on the program or any women performers in the ensemble (and I am not talking about male choruses but about jazz orchestras specifically). Some positive changes have happened in the past years, but most of those are achieved by organizing either all-female bands or all-female events and do not seem to become the "norm" yet.
What challenges have you faced as an international student?
In addition to culture shock and adjusting to new social norms and rules, it is challenging to be an “outsider,” an “alien.” People from other countries are often blamed for the issues that happen in this country, not being aware that their words might hurt you. There is no cure for it, just try to respond with kindness in any situation.
What advice would you give other international students?
Pick the program, not the university. You don’t have to study in one of the top 10 universities to be successful. It’s more important to find a program that fits you. UF has a lot to offer and Gainesville is a vibrant college town. There are certain challenges that come along with moving abroad and pursuing a degree in a new cultural environment. Make sure to find time to maintain good physical and mental health.