Tshänä Nkó Jefferson was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. She learned how to play violin in the Akron Public Schools in 4th grade and switched to the viola in the 7th. She is a graduate of North High School and The University of Akron where she studied music. She has previously played Viola with The Alliance Symphony Orchestra, St. Cecilia’s Musical Gifts Ensemble and The Canton Comic Opera (both in Canton), The Stow Symphony, and The Akron Regional Chamber Orchestra (ARCO). She currently plays viola for The Tuscarawas Philharmonic located in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Tshänä owns and operates Miss Nko’s Violin/Viola School where she teaches Violin, Viola, and Cello to ages 3 years old and up. She has been a licensed foster parent with Summit County Children’s Services for over 12 years. She has fostered 14 children and adopted her 3 daughters, now 7, 9, and 11 years old. When she is not performing or teaching music, she is somewhere near a pool. She has been working for the YMCA for over 10 years as a Lifeguard and Safety Around Water (SAW) Instructor. Each of her 3 daughters has been on a competitive swim team since they each turned 6 years old. She feels that one of the most important skills kids should have in life is how to be safe in and around water. Most recently in 2022, Tshänä had her first book published. A kid's picture book titled, It Doesn’t Matter... It’s Love! An Adoption Story, which was illustrated by her father. She is working on branching out as a children’s book writer, currently expecting her next 3 books (2 picture books and a chapter book) to be published by the beginning of 2025. Tshänä enjoys the weekends. She spends every moment with her kids, going to church, swim meets or relaxing on Saturdays having game nights, or watching movies.
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