Department: Voice
Joined Hochstein Faculty: 2020
Jessica James is a classically trained soprano who also excels in the musical theater and jazz genres. She has recently completed her Master of Music degree in classical vocal performance and Advanced Certificate in vocal pedagogy from New York University’s Steinhardt. She has three years of teaching experience with two of those years stemming from her stint as an adjunct private voice instructor at NYU’S Steinhardt. Comfortable teaching repertoire from the classical, musical theater, R&B, jazz, and pop genres to students of various backgrounds and vocal abilities.
Her recent performance credits include: Screech owl in L'Enfant et Les Sortiléges (NYU), Ensemble in a concert version of La Bohème (Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra), and Emma Hyers in A Rabbits Foote Company (A production written, directed, and produced by Jessica).
Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Potsdam in 2015. While there she focused her studies on live sound engineering, theater tech, and music business. She also holds two Associates of Science degrees from Finger Lakes Community College in Music with a concentration in classical and jazz voice as well as Music Recording Technology. She is excited to be joining the Hochstein community.
More About Jessica James
Hometown: Rochester, NY
What inspires me: Watching other artists create art successfully is what inspires me the most. For the longest time my mom was the biggest artist I knew and she inspired me greatly during my childhood.
Why the arts matter: There are so many reasons why the arts matter. Personally I really struggled during my time in grade school through high school. I had the will to learn but did not know how to learn. Participating in the arts gave me discipline and direction. It also increased my confidence within other subject areas because my success in the arts-driven coursework proved that I wasn’t “broken” mentally.
Favorite things to do in Rochester area:
1. Spending time at Phillis Wheatley Library, Sibley Music Library, and the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County.
2. Attending the Clarissa Street Reunion Festival and the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: Leisurely reading at the gazebo in the historic district of Corn Hill.
My favorite local restaurant: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Favorite place(s) to travel: Bayview, Michigan; Sanford, Florida (Birth place); and Seattle, Washington.
Favorite style of music: Rhythm & Blues (R&B) and Gospel
What people would be surprised to know about me: I love fashion! Clothes, shoes, purses, everything.