We were lucky to catch up with Christopher Jon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

From a young age, I learned what I do (singing and performing) merely by practicing and imitation. I never had music or drama in elementary or high school so I would return home from school and put on my Original Broadway Cast Recording albums or some Rock ‘n’ Roll cassette tapes. I went to Catholic school and so by that setting alone I grew up singing in church. I don’t remember being a better singer than the other kids at that time…but unlike most of them…I didn’t have stage fright so the nuns would often pick me for the solos.

I think had a known that I wanted to sing or perform professionally, I would have gotten with a teacher much sooner. As it was though, no one in my rural town in Minnesota did that for a living so I didn’t look at that profession as a viable option.

Skills that I think were most essential (and still are) are curiosity, perseverence, and raw talent. I had a good ear and natural stage presence and natural WONDER about so many things that I just rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed until I got it right. Growing up in a rural town…one sort of had to be creative because we didn’t have everything within reach like a lot of kids had in the cities.

The obstacles that have ALWAYS stood in my way is that I have interests in a LOT of different creative fields and so for the longest time I was always trying one thing out and then switching over to another and then switching back. As we all know…the built-in obstacle for any artist is the over-saturation of the market with not a lot of opportunities/jobs; plus our work is so subjective and subject to MUCH rejection and ridicule. If you can get over that OR get used to it…that’s half the battle right there.

Christopher, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My stage/artist name is Christopher Jon and I’ve been a professional singer/stage actor for the past 25 years. I booked my first theatrical gig right out of college working at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis (at that time as a non-Union actor). Eventually I joined the actors union in my 20s and have been gainfully employed ever since. I lived and worked in Los Angeles all through my 20s and in NYC all through my 30s. I currently sing onboard cruise ships as a production vocalist for Princess Cruises.

All that being said, I actually have a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts. I keep a small online presence on Instagram: @theartofchristopherjon – and proudly display my visual work there as well as my original music. I have self-published over ten different children’s books through lulu.com and enjoy practicing my visual arts whenever I’m not on contract with Princess Cruises. All of my original music (including two full-length lullaby albums) is available on AppleMusic and where ever digital media is sold.

I got into my industry by auditioning…sometimes over and over again. LOL. What sets me apart from others (like most artists) is that I’ve found my individual “voice” whether it’s as a singer/stage actor…or as a visual artist. You hear my music or look at my art work and know right away that it’s a Christopher Jon!

The thing I’m most proud of is my career is all of the incredible friendships I’ve cultivated over my career. Performing arts is such a collaborative creative medium and I think that’s another reason why I chose to pursue it because it’s so inspiring getting to build a show from the ground up, working alongside other artists I admire. Some of my best friends are people I’ve met doing what I love.

Any of my original art, stories, music = that will always be what I’m most proud of…no matter how small the audience that gets to experience it. Getting to showcase my original voice out of nothing and share that with the world. That’s the goal. That is my vocation. That is my purpose. That is as good as it gets.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of what I do is getting to share and connect with others through art.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A BIG lesson I had to unlearn as a young artist auditioning in my 20s is to not be concerned about what I THINK the casting directors want to see or hear. The most important thing you can bring into that audition room is your AUTHENTIC self! THAT is what the casting directors want to see. They want to see what YOU bring to the piece. Be prepared…know your song or your lines…believe in your artistry and your individuality…and just SHINE!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theartofchristopherjon
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/q9609zJ6zgk