Jane van Gend (née Kelly) graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Music (1st Class Hons) in 1989, majoring in piano performance with Pamela Page. She completed her Master of Music with Pam in 1995, playing the Ravel piano concerto in her final concert.
During her undergraduate years Jane won the Beta Sigma Phi Prize in piano performance and was a state finalist in the ABC Young Performers Awards in 1989. She performed regularly at University concerts and graduation ceremonies, with a special emphasis on French piano music.
Jane was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Research Award, which enabled her in 1991 to study with Ruth Nye in London and Professor Paul Badura-Skoda in Vienna.
Jane has taught at the University of Queensland Music Department and adjudicated Eisteddfods as far afield as Alice Springs, Brisbane and her place of birth, Coffs Harbour.
Since moving to Toowoomba in 1997 and being occupied with raising three boys, she enjoyed one of the most rewarding phases of her musical career: accompanist-in-residence to string-playing sons Robert and John. Since the boys left home, she resumed teaching and examining.