By Jennifer Mustoe
In the last 24 hours, I have had the privilege of spending time–with three different events–with Broadway star Jessica Vosk, and I am very fortunate indeed. Jessica Vosk came to Orem, Utah to perform at Utah Valley University‘s beautiful Center for the Arts on Wednesday, and give a Masterclass to students on Thursday.
On Wednesday afternoon, Vosk graciously chatted with me in an interview–I found her intelligent, authentic, funny, and thoroughly charming. She shared with me during our time together as well as to the audience of the concert I attended that night about her amazing journey to Broadway. Jessica started her career after college in finance, to please her family. “You want to be a Broadway star?” so many friends and family asked with skepticism and perhaps even derision. So one day, she quit the financial world and went to she pursue her dream. (Maybe to prove them wrong, just a bit? Well, it paid off.) She told me she had started her working life with her Plan B, finance. Enough of that, thought she. She embraced her Plan A and never looked back. She was at 6 AM auditions, she babysat to keep herself afloat, whatever it took. She ended up playing Elphaba in Wicked, and many more truly great roles. Take that, doubters. She also shared with me that she doesn’t feel like she’s sacrificed anything. Yes, she’s missed holidays, wedding, and so forth. But her dream/reality is what she is choosing, and it is right for her.
And how right it is. Her concert last night was fan-tas-tic. I was calculating how many music events I’ve attended: rock concerts, musicals, dance productions, opera, you name it. Jessica Vosk onstage is in my top tier experiences ever. Ever. Her playlist is varied, from Broadway: “Don’t Rain on my Parade” from Funny Girl (clip from a former concert), “Different Drum” by The Stone Poneys, “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, “Treacherous” by Taylor Swift, several medley mash ups combining different genres, and other familiar Broadway tunes. Jessica shared some delightfully funny stories about her first Broadway audition that needs to be seen to be believed, meeting and working with several of her fan girl idols, and a few of the fails and foibles she’s had onstage. She also admitted that she is a terrible swing. To those who don’t know what a swing is, Wikipedia says: “A swing refers to a member of the company who understudies several ensemble roles. The only time a swing performs is if an ensemble member is out of the show or if an ensemble member is covering another role in the show, as many ensemble members also have understudy duties.” Vosk had us laughing as she shared about her first time as a swing. Needless to say, it was not her best experience. But it was pretty comical. The crowd, as they say, went wild with love for Jessica Vosk with her “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (clip from a former concert.) And received two encores. The concert, to use the vernacular, was the bomb. See below for her concert tour information.
But there’s more. Today, I went to the Masterclass and if anyone would foolishly doubt Jessica’s magic, it was proven in this hour and a half class. A Masterclass is an event where students can come sing for a professional singer and the star gives them critiques and advice. Today, there were four lucky students that got Jessica’s tutelage. It was something, I can tell you. Interestingly, in our interview she shared that when she began her journey, she was told in auditions that she sang and danced great, but needed to really sell the songs with acting skills. She realized she needed to up her acting and got training–and this is really what she shared with the students and audience members. The first time each student sang, they did well, nervous, but hit the notes. With counsel from this talented performer, each student blossomed. One young woman went from singing the song with each note perfect to telling a story that was so immensely real and touching and heart-breaking, I was sobbing. I wasn’t the only one in the audience crying, either. The advice that Vosk gave was, in part: smile (she said this to each student), find the roadblocks that keep you from singing the piece with the vulnerability needed to really tell the story; bend your knees, and I quote: “Squeeze your buns when you hit the high notes”; and get therapy to make sure you don’t take the emotions from the show home with you. She had far more to teach, but these were the nuggets of wisdom that meant the most to me. And you know what? This advice, to my thinking, isn’t just about singing. It’s about life.
Rarely do I walk away from a concert or performance and think, well, I’m different now, but last night I did. Vosk has many clips on YouTube and an album, Wild and Free. She also can be found on YouTube, Spotify, and other formats. Do yourself a favor and listen to this incredible talent. Get to a concert!
You’re welcome.
Jessica Vosk performed at The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts
Utah Valley University (UVU)
800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
Contact: (801) 863-7529
Jessica Vosk website
Jessica Vosk News Facebook Page
The Noorda Center for the Arts Facebook Page
Utah Valley University Facebook Page
Utah Valley University website
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