Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Wesley
Jade, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story…
I’m from a small town in South New Jersey called Glassboro. There are 5 schools in the district, so I grew up with the same schoolmates since kindergarten. It’s surreal to see the same kids I was once on the playground with now have their own lives. Myself included.
The arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The first instrument I picked up was the harmonica at two years old. Then, I started singing at four years old. My family physically surrounded me with instruments. I vividly remember having a toy saxophone, clarinet, and other band instruments around me as a little girl at my grandparents’ house. I had such a broad imagination as a child and that still sticks with me today. If we limit ourselves to what we see, that will only translate to how far we will go.
When I was around eight years old I saw my first Broadway Show in New York City. According to my mother, I fell asleep. Since then, my grandmother and I have gone to New York City every summer and see a Broadway show. AND she always gets the best seats. Musical theatre has a special place in my heart. I attended Summer Stage, a musical theatre camp at MainStage Center for the Arts from sixth grade all the way to my senior year of high school. Summer Stage made my love for musical theatre blossom even more. I took on roles like Rafiki in The Lion King and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. The tradition with my grandmother was particularly special while I was at Summer Stage. I would be in a musical and then we would go see one. At the camp, there were classes that we were split up for particular subjects in musical theatre like stage makeup, dance, sign language, etc. I learned so much at the camp and I still carry those things with me today. I am so proud to say that I have been internationally awarded in the United Kingdom, New York, and Washington D.C. all for musical theatre. I’ve come a long way from falling asleep at my first Broadway Show.
I found the violin in fourth grade. I say found because it wasn’t my choice. At all. I was put in orchestra by accident, but it ended up working out one might say. In sixth grade, I auditioned for the Fine and Performing Arts Academy at Rowan University, my hometown college. This was a program that allowed me to take lessons at the college and be involved in masterclasses with the Professors. Also, from my junior to senior year of high school, I took classes at the University. We put on semesterly recitals at Rowan. I’ll never forget when my senior recital got taken away from me due to covid. It was truly heartbreaking.
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I grew up listening to big artists like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Selena, and I love me some Beyoncé. My parents always showed me singers singing live before showing me the studio (album) version. This is key to the way that I sing now and when I create my own productions. I love singing because it is a form of communication that happens to be on pitch. I grew up singing in church— gospel to be clear. Choir has always been a huge part of my life. Whether it was in church or school, I was always in choir. There is nothing more sacred in the arts than singing with other human beings. Singing is such a vulnerable thing. You are making music with your body, you are your instrument.
I was an athlete for 14 years of my life. My main sports were basketball and track. I miss it from time to time. I played basketball from 1st grade to my senior year of high school. At some point in my senior year of high school, I was a part of the three-way state title tie for the most blocks in the state of New Jersey. (11 blocks in one game). I never received a physical award for it, but I remember when my coach told me like it was yesterday. I remember that game too. I knew I didn’t play my best in that game, but I also knew no one could get around me.
I sang the national for pretty much all of our home games. It was special to see the opposing team’s reactions when the starting varsity center would sing and then play the game. I remember one of the opposing coaches said to me “I was hoping you wouldn’t be as good of a player as you are a singer, but I was wrong!” I guess I played pretty good that game. One away game, a coach asked me if I wanted to sing the anthem on their court because they remembered me. I’ll never forget my last game of basketball. It wasn’t supposed to be my last. But if there was an ending point to my basketball career, I’m glad it was that one because I played AND sang my butt off that game.
I ran track in high school as well. My main events were the 100H, 400H, and triple jump. Track and field was such a joy for me because I truly love to run, and I got to explore a new sport. My nickname during track season was “Bambi” because of my strides. I wanted to do track in college. At the end of my junior year I was one second away from breaking the Glassboro High School 100H record, so of course senior year I was locked in. Then covid came along…
Now, how did I get to Texas? I started college at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Here, I studied Violin Performance and Orchestral Music Education. Then, I transferred to the University of North Texas College of Music. Now I study Vocal Performance with a focus in Violin. I’ve met so many beautiful people here. I’m so grateful to attend a school like UNT where I can explore different genres (ex. classical, jazz, musical theatre) and pursue both of my career passions (performance and education).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road wasn’t always smooth. For a lot of people, middle school was an interesting time. Myself included. In sixth grade, I got sick and was out of school for eight days. I remember being so weak my parents had to assist me with walking outside of the house to take me to the doctor. We went to multiple doctors and no one really knew what I had. I think it just ended up being a bad common cold. When I went back to school my voice “dropped” significantly lower. This not only affected singing but speaking as well. (We have the same voice/use the same voice for singing and speaking, but that’s another conversation). Apparently, for the stereotypical 11-year-old, my voice was “too low.” I was called all kinds of names by ALL kinds of people. For the past 11 years, I’ve forced myself to speak in a higher voice. There were some shifts in my passaggio as well. (I didn’t know what that was at the time). There was a lot of unhealthy singing in the past. People were trying to make me sing soprano because I was “younger” and could “handle it.” I tried to tell them that I was uncomfortable singing those parts, but the response was always “You’re young, you’ll be fine.” This led to lots of straining, and ultimately having small nodules on my vocal cords. I find it funny how the older generation is always telling us to take care of ourselves while we are young, but as soon as we try to tell them we are hurting they tell us to get over it. All of this is a work in progress today. Unlearning bad habits that have been in line for years is such a hard thing. Especially when you are working with muscles that you can’t see.
Being an African-American Contralto Violinist is its own unique experience and has its down moments. I’ve dealt with unfairness from competitions, to professors, and from universities themselves. It is mentally tiring because these people say they want you because of the things that make you, you. Yet, as soon as you want to showcase those things you get shut down. Or they somehow “forget” about you even though they constantly tell you how special you are. OR they don’t even let you do it and you have to advocate for yourself to simply be able to perform… the reason why you were brought into said program.
I’ll never forget the moment when I was told by my previous institution that “I wasn’t passionate enough to be a teacher” and “the music education program was too big for me to handle.” (A literal direct quote.) Racism is a whole different beast. I remember being so devastated when I found out what was said about me. Two weeks after I graduated high school, I emailed the New Jersey State Board of Education, asking how I could be up there one day. This is the same woman that you said wasn’t passionate enough to be a teacher? When word got around that I was leaving, all of a sudden my scholarship was doubled and my financial aid came through. All of a sudden my major situation was fixed, and I was receiving assistance. I was not going to let myself be a factor of diversity for this school. That stands for UNT as well and wherever I go. I am not an object, I am a human being. Today, I am proud to say that I am the Orchestra Area Representative for the North Texas Music Educators Association.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Artist and an Educator. The particular art that I specialize in is music. I sing, play the violin, piano, and some guitar. I started singing at age 4 and violin at age 9. For my major, I study classical voice and violin at UNT but I have also studied musical theatre and jazz. I’m involved in the jazz program at UNT with being a part of the jazz strings ensemble and singing for special events. Also, I was accepted and went to the first annual Afro-Caribbean Session at the Jazz Aspen Academy held in Aspen, Colorado. I sang and played my violin with the big band and recorded music with my combo, Son de la Montaña. What a glorious opportunity.
Something that I am known for is my range; whether it is notes that I can sing or the things that I do. I’m very grateful and blessed to have a large singing range that reaches over 3 octaves across all voice parts. It’s super fun to make harmonies with yourself. I’ve done covers of choral pieces and sang all the parts. I’ve also produced music and put together music videos that can be found on social media. I use them when I perform my solo shows. Some things you may hear… pretty soon… 😉 (see the link tree to contact/book me!)
When it comes to the things that I do, my goal is to be a versatile musician and artist. I started modeling professionally this past spring, and it has been so healing. Growing up, I was teased for my looks, people just called me ugly. And I believed it. It’s interesting because I was whitewashed for the things that I did, but was made fun of for the most black features that I have… It takes so much conditioning to get negative mantras out of your head, but this experience is definitely helping. (see my modeling website to contact/book me!)
I teach violin, piano, and music theory. I started teaching in the summer of 2022 and it gives me so much joy. To give back to the educators that came before me is all I ever wanted to do. I adore my students so much. I am able to learn from them as much as they learn from me.
(see my teaching website in the link tree if you or someone you know wants lessons!)
The mosaic of skill sets that I have is what sets me apart. I have a pretty epic work ethic, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. This is something I’m super proud of. It is a great feeling when people are able to witness your journey, but when you are able to notice your improvement yourself, it becomes real.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m a Christian, I give all my credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! His love is everlasting and cannot be destroyed.
I love my family!!!! My parents have been with me through every step of the way. My grandparents have always provided me with everything I ever needed. I recently connected with my extended family which is full of musicians! I love them so much, they are such a team of supporters and have a strong foundation in Christ.
My teachers and coaches at Glassboro Public School District were amazing, and still are! They have helped me get through a lot and helped build me up to where I am today. They still support me!
To my friends and professors at Rutgers, thank you for being the catalyst of my collegiate music career. I was heartbroken telling them that I was transferring. To those who genuinely love me, I love them back dearly.
My professors at UNT, I love them so much. They welcomed me with open arms after the situation I went through at my previous institution. They have helped me get through my first-generation college student struggles, and adapt to Texas as an out-of-state student.
My beautiful friends, my chosen family. I don’t have any siblings so my friends mean even more to me. They have held me when my family couldn’t. They have given me pep talks that have changed my perspective and outlook on life.
I love y’all deep!
IV
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jadeawesley
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeawmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jade.wesley.758
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadeawesley
- Other: https://jadewesley.modelingfolio.com
Image Credits
Lauren Salzaar @laurenanitaphotography
Steve Mundinger (Aspen, Colorado)
Cecelia Elaine @cecelia_elaine_photos
MAPS Modeling Studio NYC @maps_nyc
