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

Jillian, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I always knew I wanted my work to be in the performing arts. I was in my first professional musical when I was 17 years old. Musical theatre was my profession for over 13 years, it was a wonderful way to earn a living on my own and I loved getting to travel with my work. When I had children, I needed to earn more money to help support my family. I chose to go into real estate 8 years ago, when my youngest child was born. This has helped support my family and given me the freedom and financial ability to work on writing and recording my own songs.

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

I started my journey in the performing arts in ballet when I was a child. I absolutely love dancing, it really is my first love. I wanted to dance professionally in a ballet company, but my gifts were more suited to musical theatre. I realized how much I loved singing in middle school choir. I started private voice lessons when I was 15 years old and studied classical singing. I went to AMDA in NYC at 17 and then started working professionally in musical theatre. I worked in Minneapolis, Ohio, California, NY and on cruise ships before getting married and starting a family. I had always dreamt of writing and singing my own songs, I have always written poetry and wanted to learn to play the guitar so I could turn my poems into songs. I started taking guitar lessons almost 8 years ago and started recorded my songs on 2020. It’s wonderful!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that it encourages and rewards vulnerability. You get to share thoughts and feelings in a beautiful way and connect with your audience. It is very fulfilling. Performing is also just fun, it’s nice to enhance moments for people with good music.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think non-creatives may struggle with understanding the feeling of really being called to your work. Creative work more often than not, doesn’t pay well, and yet to do it well takes a lot of discipline and time. You have to be self-motivated to practice your craft. You put a lot of time and effort into your work and it takes awhile to get paid and you may never get paid much, it’s a gamble when you chose creative work as the work that will support you. That being said, the reward of sharing a special gift that feels like it is meant to be shared is so fulfilling that it keeps you grateful to have it as your profession.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianantinoramusic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillianLeeAntinoraMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEqX-r_mDz4STYqu1iAptrA