We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenna Duranko . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenna below.

Jenna , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

There are several meaningful projects that I have worked on through music over the years. Writing and recording my albums and singles has been meaningful. Being able to get my music out there and have others connect to my music and lyrics is a powerful experience. Also meaningful is my marimba playing when I can share marimba music with residents in senior care and hospice homes, at churches, and at different events locally. Most meaningful to me, I think, would be my volunteer work with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. I have organized and performed six benefit concerts for the NOCC. Raising money and awareness about this disease, participating in their events, I am honored to be able to give and serve, using my music.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my musical career at a young age in middle school, playing percussion, singing in the choir, playing guitar, and writing songs. I then studied percussion performance and music business at Radford University (Radford, VA). Studying percussion in college, I began playing the marimba and fell in love with the instrument. Through my music business studies, I learned how to record, distribute, and monetize my own music. Since graduating in 2013, I have been able to share my music with people worldwide. In 2017, I graduated from Hood College (Frederick, MD), with my master’s degree in Thanatology – the study of death, grief, and mourning. Currently, a seminarian at Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA), I am working to merge my passions for creativity, music, and performing with my call to serve in ministry.

In the years since I started my musical career, I have provided marimba music for local events, churches, benefit concerts for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and played for residents in senior living, hospice, and patients at NIH. In 2016, I released my first full-length studio album, “Demons and Angels,” with the help and production talents of my friend John. Since then, I have released multiple tracks digitally available for download worldwide. I am currently working on my second full-length album.

I am most proud of two things in my musical career so far. First, my determination in studying percussion. Coming into a percussion studio my sophomore year with little training, I worked to a college level of performance in a short time. It took a lot of time, energy, persistence, and a strong work ethic. Second, I am proud of my volunteering for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. I have found a way to use my music to help support a cause that is close to my heart.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a creative, there are many aspects of my work that are rewarding. I get to process my experiences through art. I get to produce something out of every situation that happens. Whether I am joyfully celebrating something or grieving the loss of something, I can write about it, sing about it, or simply play it out on an instrument. When all is said and done, I can turn whatever I am going through into something that I can be proud of. What is more rewarding is that through music and lyrics, people can connect on different levels. We may not always know the right things to say or do to connect with another person, but we can usually find a song that will connect us. Whether it is from my lyrics in my songs or the way I play the marimba for people, if I can reach others on a felt-sense level, and they can gain meaning from my creativity, that is the best reward I could ask for.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Within our communities, one of the most effective ways we can support local artists and creatives is by cross-marketing. If there is a community event, look for local musicians to play. As local musicians, if you are looking for new photography or artwork for your promotions, look to local visual artists. Collaboration is another great way to do this. In my musical career, I have been intentional about involving other local artists and creatives in my projects. Inviting other musicians to be part of the NOCC benefit concerts, calling on local artists and photographers to help promote my events or musical releases. I have also organized and performed interdisciplinary performances with local visual artists, including local writers and poets in the performances. Part of creating a thriving artistic ecosystem is thinking outside the box and being innovative, trying things in performance and art that may be unique and authentic to your art and your local community of creatives.

Another significant part of the thriving creative ecosystem is fair compensation for exposure. When we give artists opportunities for exposure and getting their unique talents out there for the public to consume and experience, we must fairly compensate them for their time, work, and talents. Musicians, visual artists, creative writers, photographers — we all have spent years and multiple hours weekly honing our craft, preparing for the “day of the performance.” For a community of creatives to be sustainable and thrive, we must as a community also invest in them appropriately.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jenna-duranko/675955829
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaduranko_music/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaDurankoMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jennaduranko7255/featured
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NEdbwH6L4RQk2oNW71WI0

Image Credits
Album Artwork for “gemini” photograph by Jenna Duranko, Artwork design by Glenn Wallace Album artwork for “Demons and Angels” by Elizabeth Slade, Artwork design by Glenn Wallace Marimba photography by Jeff Schaeberle NIH photo by Tricia Coffey Photo with Jenna and mallets by Elizabeth Slade Group photo with guitars (NOCC event 2019) by Cathie Duncan