We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Claude a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I have always said – JUMP, and build your parachute on the way down. I feel like, my life has always embodied that. I am relentless about my dreams and goals. I dream very very very big, and I am jusssssst delusional enough to believe I can actually achieve anything I set my mind to!! I am grateful for my journey thus far – I took a leap, I bet on myself, and I’ve been soaring ever since!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Jennifer Claude, professionally known as Jennifer Claude, and I am an American Singer-Songwriter, Artist, Musician, & Producer. I have been doing music all of my life it feels like. Some of my earliest memories revolve around music. I started tinkering with my Mom’s upright piano in our living room when I was 3 yrs old. I remember Saturday Mornings being my favorite time because that’s when my Mom would have records playing while we cleaned the house – It was always a nice healthy mix of Gospel & Jazz Music. After a traumatic life experience, I began writing in my journals at the age of 7. I started with writing out my thoughts, which quickly turned into poetry, and then evolved into songs. I joined the Youth Choir at my church, at the age of 9yrs old & started playing the violin at 12yrs old. I went on to study violin & voice performance in college, and then eventually decided to move to Los Angeles and work in the Music Industry Professionally. Music has never felt like an option to Me. My words, melodies, and ideas have always been an integral part of Me. I am grateful for Music – it has been my built-in therapy & safe place.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Thus far I can say that, my move from my cute little tiny college town allllll the way across country to the hustle and bustle of this behemoth of a living breathing giant city like Los Angeles, has been pretty wild. When I made the decision to move, everything happened so fast. I had to sell my things, pack up my life, book a one-way ticket, and leave everything I know and love, for the gamble on myself & my dreams. I moved by myself, to a place where I was basically alone. At the time I didn’t know what my journey would look like. I can honestly say it has been the best and worst thing I’ve ever done to myself in my life. I have faced numerous hardships, but I have never given up on myself & my motivations for making this big change and taking this huge leap! Although I haven’t achieved some of the bigger goals on my list, I have accomplished so many amazing things, met so many wonderful people, I am thriving, and ultimately I am proud of myself.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding thing about being a Creative individual is that I am fully able to be myself. I can live in this bubble free from care and concern of judgment or disapproval. I am free to be Me, and think my own thoughts, and come to my own conclusions. I am free to make mistakes, and to fail, and pick myself up and keep trying. I am free to create art that heals Me, but then is also a source of healing, truth, laughter, joy, support etc for someone who needs it. I am free to do what it is that I was sent here to do. That is the ultimate reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenniferclaude.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/iamjdotclaude
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjdotclaude
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-mcnichols-jr-d-m-a-b3ab3859?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: twitter.com/iamjdotclaude
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenniferClaudeMusic
Image Credits
Chris Charles Marcus LeBlanc Jennifer Claude