Album Notes

Born and raised in Iowa, Shannon Janssen began playing a small electric organ when she was very young. She has very few memories of it, but her parents remember Shannon making up tunes at a very early age. When she was eight, formal piano lessons began. Her Austrian piano instructor was strict, allowing Shannon to only play classical pieces. She would practice the lessons her teacher would give while spending additional time at the piano learning pop songs and working on her own compositions. Shannon continued lessons through high school, then studied piano with a passionate pursuit that led her through the years. She was a church pianist for 20 years and taught private lessons for twelve years. At the request of people who wanted to take Shannon's music home with them, in 2001 she began the adventure of recording her debut album, "Heart Journey". Working closely with her producer Mark Pence, orchestration added tasteful beauty to her piano solos. Together they would see eye to eye and hear ear to ear exactly the special touches that would add the magic that Shannon was looking for. Within a year, she began recording her second album "Piano Paintings", released in October of 2002. In recent years she began writing her compositions down in sheet music form. It is her desire in the future to have her music available in song books for students, teachers and anyone who enjoys playing piano. Shannon is now a full time pianist performing for Von Maur, Collins Plaza Hotel, for private and company parties, receptions, special events and concerts of her original music. She continues writing in preparation for her next CD. Music is her passion, and her style is unique. Her award winning music would be categorized as Contemporary Classical or Romantic New Age. She plays with such feeling and emotion; her melodies will take your heart on a journey. To learn more about Shannon and to hear her music, visit her website at: www.shannonjanssen.com. "I love music that is soul stirring and touching, that makes you stop to ponder, taking you to another place. This kind of music can be in many categories. But instrumental music without words, allows the listener to use their imagination to tell the story or to paint the picture within the song. The only clue is the title...you decide how the story goes and ends. It's like reading a book verses watching a movie. Your imagination paints the scene and characters, thus allowing the music to take you on a journey. It has always been my desire and dream to create music such as this." From Shannon Janssen's "Piano Paintings" CD, "The Lighthouse Window" won an 'Outstanding Achievement In Songwriting Award' placing second in the Instrumental Category of the 2003 Great American Song Contest. Also from Shannon Janssen's "Piano Paintings" CD, 'Approaching Storm', won an Honor Award in the 2002 Great American Song Contest. 'Promise Me' and 'Home Again' won Honor Awards in the 2004 Great American Song Contest.