We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Janson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Throughout my entire childhood and my teen years, my dream had been to be on Broadway. For year I took all the lessons: voice, acting, dance, etc. All while being involved in choir, stage singing competitions, drama club, anything that had to do with music, and more specifically the theatre. I grew up an only child and with the most incredible parents who made my dream theirs. Every show or concert, they were there. They paid for every lesson, class or headshot I needed. We were determined to make this happen.
My senior year of high school, I was accepted into a pretty prestigious musical theatre academy right in the heart of New York City. It was here I would receive all the training I needed to truly make it. My dreams felt closer than ever and I went off to school with an excited heart and stars in my eyes.
It wasn’t long after that everything came crashing down. The chase of the bright lights of NYC left me feeling empty and confused. I started doubting that I even wanted this which absolutely terrified me. What else is there? What else would I do? It’s always been Broadway.
I left NYC and that school. I knew there was something more to life, I just wasn’t sure yet. Unfortunately the next few years meant me searching for what comes next and it led me down a bad path. I eventually met my husband who later brought me to church. When we walked into the sanctuary, the worship team had already begun playing and it all hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in a trance. It’s like I knew right then and there that this is what I’m supposed to be doing: music…but for the Lord.
I was saved a few months later and declared that involvement in music would be for Him.
Now here I am years later as a Christian singer/songwriter writing songs about my faith & my testimony all to bring glory to Jesus. And there is quite literally nothing else I could imagine myself doing.
Amanda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a Christian singer/songwriter. I write songs based off of my testimony and the things I have been through. My goal is to spread the name of Jesus, through my music, to as many people as possible. I released my first single, In the Name of Jesus, this past January with more music to come next year! I lead worship at my church on Sundays with the hopes of traveling across the country to lead at other churches.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of what I have the blessing to do is the the stories that come into my inbox. The first week my single was released I received a message from a woman who, along with her husband, was struggling with infertility. They had been trying and praying for 10 years with zero success and a ton of loss. She mentioned in her message how they were about to give up and had completely lost faith. A friend had sent her my song and she was so encouraged by it. She said her faith felt renewed after listening and they made the decision to try one last time. I followed up with this woman a few months later and was given the news that they were expecting a baby!!! This is what it’s all about. The Lord working through my music to bring others closer to Him and experience breakthrough. Praise God!
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Simply to lead others to Jesus. There’s nothing great or spectacular about my name…but the name of Jesus holds so much power. I get to experience His love and grace every day and if my music can bring someone that much closer to experiencing His goodness too, than my goal has been meant. He’s been too good to me to NOT spread the news.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandajansonmusic.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amandajansonmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandajansonmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC8cGnPRHbjPIa_mN21amVWg
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hmExKU3SJa9jqgv2KKCuN?si=Hy7pca5pSGymdspAnGvJ0g
Image Credits
Brian Williams Eric Janson