Jaclyn James
Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, Jaclyn James taught herself piano by ear and began composing by age 9. Three years later, the Chanhassen Dinner Theater discovered Jaclyn at a local acting camp. She became a regular cast member of Nuncrakers, the third musical in the Nunsense series. As a member of the original cast, she performed on the national CD soundtrack.
At first, Jaclyn used music as a means to support her blossoming Equestrian career, but felt compelled to pursue a career in music. She sold her horses and gave up a scholarship offer from the University of Findlay. That fall, she began her education at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. In January of 2007, Jaclyn's talent gained national exposure when JANE Magazine and Maybelline New York chose the track "Unashamed" for their Pure Talent: Compilation CD, which was distributed by JANE Magazine in partnership with Maybelline to over 1000 winners at various sponsored events.
Jaclyn's strong voice demands the listener's attention and the music compliments her vocal power in both sensitivity and force. Instead of focusing on her abilities, she credits God as the source of her inspiration. "It had to come from somewhere else. Long after I write it, I still feel the power of that moment when I first wrote the song. The song is what God is teaching me at the time, and even though I'm singing it, I'm learning from it. Every time I recognize this in my music, it shows me that like any gift, it's higher than myself."
Jaclyn has also learned to manage the business end of her music. She is responsible for her own promotion, booking, marketing, graphic design, and branding. For some, performing both professional and creative tasks can conflict. "You have to keep these worlds completely separate," says Jaclyn. "Otherwise you'll start thinking, 'I can't write this - it's too poppy!' or 'I can't sing about that - it's too controversial.' As long as I can avoid that mentality, the possibilities are limitless."
Jaclyn is currently writing material for a forthcoming release.
At first, Jaclyn used music as a means to support her blossoming Equestrian career, but felt compelled to pursue a career in music. She sold her horses and gave up a scholarship offer from the University of Findlay. That fall, she began her education at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. In January of 2007, Jaclyn's talent gained national exposure when JANE Magazine and Maybelline New York chose the track "Unashamed" for their Pure Talent: Compilation CD, which was distributed by JANE Magazine in partnership with Maybelline to over 1000 winners at various sponsored events.
Jaclyn's strong voice demands the listener's attention and the music compliments her vocal power in both sensitivity and force. Instead of focusing on her abilities, she credits God as the source of her inspiration. "It had to come from somewhere else. Long after I write it, I still feel the power of that moment when I first wrote the song. The song is what God is teaching me at the time, and even though I'm singing it, I'm learning from it. Every time I recognize this in my music, it shows me that like any gift, it's higher than myself."
Jaclyn has also learned to manage the business end of her music. She is responsible for her own promotion, booking, marketing, graphic design, and branding. For some, performing both professional and creative tasks can conflict. "You have to keep these worlds completely separate," says Jaclyn. "Otherwise you'll start thinking, 'I can't write this - it's too poppy!' or 'I can't sing about that - it's too controversial.' As long as I can avoid that mentality, the possibilities are limitless."
Jaclyn is currently writing material for a forthcoming release.
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