We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Dixon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Growing up, I was always being bullied and was misunderstood for my weight, being smart or what they would call being a “teachers pet”, and being a band geek. I’ve always had a love for music and I just wanted to share my love of music with everyone. What I have learned is that it’s ok to be different. Everyone is not going to like who you are. The other side of that is, they may like who you are, but are jealous of the gift you have. Regardless of what others say or think, never be afraid of being you! There’s only one you!

Jessica, 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?

Hello, my name is Jessica Dixon. I have been in the music industry for over 20 years. I got my start early in church. I started singing in the children’s church when I was younger. I started playing piano at the age of 5 years old. I’ve always loved music, so naturally I started singing in the school’s elementary choir in 3rd grade. At that time, students weren’t allowed to join the choir until they were in 4th grade, but my music teacher Mrs. McClelland saw my passion and encouraged me to keep singing. While being apart of the choir choir, we traveled across the Chicagoland area performing at Navy Pier, the Chicago Flower & Garden show and many other places in the area. In the 5th grade I began to play clarinet in the band, later learning how to play the alto saxophone. While in middle school under the direction of Mr. John Weber, the jazz band traveled to many cities and states competing and performing. We received many accolades for our performances. In high school I continued participating in the symphonic and jazz bands. In my junior year I began performing with the concert choir and show choir. During concert time, you would see me moving from the band to the choir. In my senior year I joined the high schools gospel choir. Throughout my high school career, I traveled with both the bands and choirs to many states and different cities. I was honored to be apart of the IMEA band and choirs, I was also apart of the SICA choir in my senior year. Early in my collegiate years, I continued as a double major in clarinet and soprano. While attending South Suburban Collage, I shared the stage with Chris Vadilla, Wynton Marsalis, and many more jazz greats. In my second year of college, I attended a class called introduction to music production and fell in love with the creative aspect of the class. Due to me having a child at the age of 20, I decided to stop and put the focus on my baby girl. When I was 21 I joined Dexter Walker & Zion Movement, a community choir based out of Chicago, IL. Which I am still apart of to date. Being apart of this ministry I have traveled to many states and countries singing and spreading the gospel. I started Jessica Dixon Ministries in 2016. This ministry is dedicated to not only sharing the gospel of Jesus through music, but in deed as well. In 2018, I released my first single “I Am Free” and in 2023 I released my second single “He’s Got The Power” both available anywhere you get your music. I have been blessed to go to different nursing homes, homeless shelters and I have ministered to many single mothers who have faced domestic violence or any hardships, just to encourage them that they can make it. In 2023, I was honored to be a contributing author in a book entitled “Triumph: Through test and trials to triumph with ABBA”. In this book I was able to share a small testimony of my life and how God healed me from rejection. It’s available on Amazon for purchase. In 2024, I made the decision to go back to school. I attend the Los Angeles Recording School, this time as a music production major. I have started my production company “Ha’ Levi Media Group” where we specialize in vocal production, songwriting, and orchestra production. We are dedicated to serve those who want to produce a high quality sound. I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve those in need and don’t plan to stop any time soon.

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

Growing up I was bullied a lot which caused my confidence to be at an all time low. Although I was good at music and received many compliments and awards, because of the bullying, I did not believe in myself. But, what I have learned is that you can not put on what others think about you. It really doesn’t matter what others believe about you, because 9 times out of 10, those bullies don’t like themselves and they just want someone to feel how they feel inside. As long as you have faith and believe, you can do anything you put your mind to do.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It is my goal to one day build a school to teach others the art of music. In a world where some believe that music is not important in school, I believe that is very important. In fact, some studies have shown where the schools that have a music department test scores have risen in certain areas. With discipline and hard work, I believe this can be done.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/ladyj_sings
• Facebook: Facebook.com/jdixon2011
• Linkedin: Jessica Dixon
• Youtube: Jessica Dixon Ministries

Image Credits
OneEye Photography