News & Press

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down via zoom with my fellow Nazareth College alumna, Bree Gordon. We had a really wonderful discussion on her podcast, The Mindful Mentor, on trauma, grief, performance integrity, and much, much more. I am so glad we were able to share in this moment and I hope you enjoy listening.

Happy Summer!

I am so excited to share about my new branding and summer experiences! If you follow me on Instagram at Jessbestsings, you’ll notice some beautiful, new work done by Alyssa Houseknecht from Lyss House Creative. I highly recommend working with her! I love my new branding and I can’t wait for you to see more and more of it! To find out more about Alyssa and her work; please visit: https://lysshouse.com.

I have been extremely busy joining the virtual world in both opera, jazz, and musical theatre performances. I have also been doing virtual lessons and masterclasses. I‘d love to work with you! If you are interested in taking lessons or a masterclass on Zoom;  please go to my contact page and fill out the form! 

You can experince an amazing livestream event with A Small World and MixCloud Live on July 15th! I‘ll be joined by my friend and pianist, Yoshiko Arahata and vocalist Bethany Richards! We will bring you jazz right from ...my living room!:) You won’t want to miss this program! I love this repetoire! This presentation is in partnership with Victoria Opera House.

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You can find all those links here:

A Small World: https://www.asmallworld.com

MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/live/ASMALLWORLD/: Jazz Stream

Victoria Opera House International: https://www.victoriaoperahouse.net

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I’m so excited! Make sure to join me and visit all the other fun places you can hear my music!

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See you on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook until we can be together again in person! 

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All my very best,

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I had the absolute pleasure of giving a Virtually Live lecture last week with the Savannah Voice Festival. All week long singers and presenters gave lectures and recitals from their respective homes. My friend, Matt Marco and I presented a family oriented lecture and recital based on the magic of Cinderella. Here are the links to the videos; which you may also find on my media page. You’ll hear Rossini, Disney and Rodgers and Hammerstein. I do hope you will enjoy these beautiful moments; live from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY.  A special thanks to the Savannah Voice Festival for keeping art alive during this time! We can’t wait to be back with you live in person when it’s possible! Watch all the links and presents on the Savannah Voice Festival Youtube page!

As we all try to wrap our heads around the ”new normal” we find ourselves in-artists continue to create. Innovation is alive and well. Many of us gather to mourn what was lost, to appreciate what we do have, and to imagine what will be. We will live in a new world-and there is much hope to be found there.

Artists know we must reevaluate at all levels to see what systems are working for us and how to create new works in the future. We are taking into account potential economic and saftey restrictions; but also knowing we must bring forth what the human soul needs: creativity. We need art to console us and to define us. If we look at history: we can look forward to bright new ways to do that. Every aspect of humanity has made its mark in great difficulty and now is our time. We gather on Zoom, on Skype, on webinars to learn, to process, and to console. We keep learning and we sit with our grief. We make videos for our faith services and we learn new forms of social distance singing-with new apps and meeting spaces. The music and the art cannot be stopped. We need it as we need nourishment for our souls. Concert halls and theaters are empty; but art is alive. We are all learning new things. We are learning how to record, how to make videos, how to ”go live,“ and bring ourselves and what our audiences desire most-connection. Though it is not the same as human connection in person-it is a way for us enrich our “now.”

I have been sitting at home noodling at the piano-making some very imperfect recordings and sharing this vulnerable art for the first time. Last weekend; for the first time in six weeks; I was able to sing with a pianist at a church for a livestream. I will never forget how emotional I felt to sing this Mozart and Bernstein in rehearsal for the first time. There is a magic that happens when artists connect. This week, I am fortunate to record some sacred pieces again with dear friends (at proper social distance), and give a Virtually Live Lecture and Recital on Cinderella with The Savannah Voice Festival. (La Cenerentola). It is these moments that I am so excited about. I will never take collaboration for granted again. This moment that defines us has made us realize the very rich exprience it is to make music with others, to make art with others, and to connect with others. There is nothing like making music live-but we will look forward to those special moments with such immense joy.

You may listen to those Quarantine Songs here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwk-MruiFK1aVHqvXxCK6aX68xlREbAXC

I have had the privilege of connecting with many artists by doing a live interview series on Instagram and teaching several masterclasses via Zoom. I have enjoyed hearing how my colleagues are doing throughout this journey-and have been so inspired by their innovations. They continue to teach, create new art, and come up with solutions. I have so enjoyed teaching themed free masterclasses to a global and diverse group of singers. It has both inspired and taught me so much! I look forward to continuing these programs and will post about them here on my website.

Though my heart wishes to be with my audience, I am so grateful to share these moments with you. I wish you joy and happiness.

May you be in good health and may you be well, dear friends.

Love,

Jessica

I had the awesome privilege of writing a tribute to my dear friend, Sherrill Milnes, in honor of his eighty-fifth birthday this week. A big thank you to WXXI and Mona Seghatoleslami, for giving me the opportunity to write this piece.

Jessica is thrilled to join an excellent cast of Broadway vets as they sing 'Broadway Through The Ages,' with the New Jersey Festival Orchestra.

For more information: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/articles/broadway-stars-dancers-from-dance-theatre-of-harlem-join-njfo-for-nye-in-westfield