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

Alright, Shondra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Having been in the music, acting, and entertainment business for over 47 years now, I’m more choosy on the film, stage, and songwriting projects I’m devoting my time to. At this point leaving a creative legacy is extremely important to me. For instance, a film that I’m co-producing and have written the songs, (music and lyrics), for is our movie, “WEirD Detention.” My creative partner and I are now fund-raising for this important film to be made.

Through Edu-tainment, we are introducing non-violent communication, active listening, and conflict resolution skills. to help prevent possible violence before it happens,

The film is a ‘Breakfast Club,” gone music, if you will, with three disparate teens who are in detention like no other they’ve experienced. The kids cannot get out until they’ve learned these new communication skills with the assistance of three magical Divas who manifest out of an old pinball machine the kids have discovered in the corner of the windowless room. With the Diva’s help, the kids learn to work together as they are transported back and forth to deal with their own experiences of having bullied a kid, confrontations with family members, etc.

Our plan with this project is large. Once this film is made, we will offer it free to all schools in America who’d like to show it in their classroom, along with our curriculum and manual for the teachers. Since kids are on their phones 24/7, we’re also developing a fun companion game app for the kids to practice their new skills. This project will help make a positive difference while also being thoroughly entertaining.

Shondra, 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 caught the theatre bug early on while my parents were cast in acting roles at the Amarillo Little Theatre in Texas, When I wasn’t watching their nighttime rehearsals and performances, I was hanging out in the greenroom or dressing rooms pretending I was IN a play with other kids. When my parents weren’t cast, we enjoyed many plays as audience members. After I was in my first show at age ten, I was completely smitten. From that moment, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up – be an actor! I was so in love with it I welcomed the discipline of learning my lines, making all my rehearsals, and diving into every character. It was just great FUN for me in every way. To this day I still go into bliss mode with the musty smell of costumes and old wood of the theatre. Stages and theatres feel like my 2nd home.

My parents were music lovers so music was always playing in our house. We listened to all genres from all sorts of Jazz & Vocal Standards to Rock to Country to Orchestral classics. It was by far the greatest gift my parents blessed me with. As a singer and especially a songwriter, this foundation of music set me up for true appreciation and respect for all music.

My dad bought a record set for me that taught what each instrument was in the orchestra and my mom brought over a gentleman who tested my musical potential with music and rhythm. After that test, I heard him tell my mom I was extremely musical. Overhearing that helped me so much! Soon after that visit, I was enrolled in piano lessons. Honestly – I hated it due to the pressures of performances in front of judges. AND…I discovered one of my mom’s ukuleles and taught myself to play with an old chord book I’d found and I DID love THAT!

I believe that the language of music is universal. There are so many examples of how it’s a powerful force for good in the world. It can heal our hearts, inspire us, and can bring us together in community. It can also make us feel someone out there understands what we’re going through. Music is also a time machine that brings us to a specific moment in our own lives. Do you remember what year it was by the songs you were listening to at the time? I do! Good, bad, and everything in between memories. And…learning to play an instrument growing up can help with our confidence and self-esteem. So it also goes with theatre. Music and theatre saved my life when I was in school. It gave me a sense and place of belonging.

After my parents divorced my mom moved my sister and me to San Diego where she opened her own business as the first female talent agent in that city, It was in San Diego that at 12 I begged my mom to buy me a guitar and put me into guitar lessons. Learning guitar was healing. It started my songwriting and helped support me in everything including my career. And by the way, I love teaching guitar for all these reasons!

I immersed myself in my high school Drama dept, landed leads in plays, and won awards for performances all the while playing guitar, writing original songs, recording, and performing them. I also took years of dance, and in my junior year, I learned mime and toured for a few years with a professional mime troupe. My first real paid gig was when I was seventeen. I wrote and then performed a children’s show on an aircraft carrier for a big group of Navy kids.

I spent the summer before my senior year in high school studying acting at the Old Globe Theatre – somewhere I would also often steal away to watch actors arriving for their show-calls, dreaming of being one of them. the top of my list at that time was to attend Juilliard. I applied, auditioned for actor-director John Houseman in San Francisco, and was one of 24 actors accepted into the Juilliard School of Drama. I received a scholarship from them and a basic grant, so to earn the rest of the money owed for tuition, I landed my first steady paid gig – one of five Sea World’s Pearl Diving show announcers.

That first summer after returning home from New York, I passed my audition for my talent agent mother, and she booked me as a single, singing and accompanying myself on guitar for a few hours nightly in various hotels. I was only 19 so my 15-minute breaks were spent outside or in the lobbies. I had no idea then that those summer gigs would lead to a career in music. Another wonderful gift my mother gave to me was learning how to help book and contract myself as an artist. Something that I will be forever grateful to her for. Understanding how to do this has afforded me not to rely on calls from agents for gigs.

Turned out I didn’t return to New York and instead fronted several different bands, while still working four and a half hours a night – five nights a week as a single. Then I formed and led my own bands. One was a show band that featured my acting and singing in four different one-hour shows a night, five nights a week. I was 23 at the time. We were successful enough to be contracted at the MGM Grand in Reno, (now the Hilton), and The Dunes in Las Vegas, (no longer there), where we performed our four different shows a night six nights a week.

If it hadn’t happened already from my theatre training, discipline became my middle name. Performing nightly with the shows revolving around you, with musicians and clients also depending on you financially, you must show up. We’re talking even under duress and some intense circumstances – being vocally hoarse, sick with a 104 temperature throwing up, physically in pain, family and relationship dramas, and more. I’ve performed under THE most challenging of times and no one ever knew but me and those closest to me. I was weaned on the belief that it’s always about the audience so get out there and give ’em your best. And I did – over and over and OVER again no matter if there were four people out there or a full house.

I’ve performed in every combination of bands and ON everything from scaffolding outside a hotel high-rise, to a barge on the bay to a single gondola, to popular cruise ships, Rock rooms, nightclubs, outdoor venues, and fine art theatres. I’ve sung on huge stages, in corners of clubs the size of a postage stamp, and singing Rock n’ Roll at huge marathon races at the unGodly hour of 6 a.m. One night I’d find myself performing on tour for 750 people each show with a light tech running massive lights and then return home to perform the same show for 60 people with four lights in a little nightclub. I’ve had the honor of performing regularly with fabulously talented singers, musicians, and actors including my talented husband-partner Tom. All these talented artists whom I admire helped up my game.

I’ve also continued my acting career. One of my favorite roles was playing Sister Amnesia in “Nunsense I and II” A VERY challenging role that I wanted SO bad and landed, even though it scared the crap outta me nightly. Another of my favorites was being in the two-person play “Maybe Baby It’s You,” In that show my castmate and I played in 11 vignettes ages 12 to 76.

Of all the plays and musicals I’ve been in, the most exhilarating was performing in the two-woman musical with my creative partner Emmy award-winning Dev Ross. I wrote the songs to Dev’s fabulous script. It was beyond exciting to perform in with her and co-produce our original musical in many performance runs to packed houses.

Performing alongside Jazz saxist Tom Scott featuring my song, “We Can Survive,” as the theme song for the “Laugh for Life,” Gilda Radner Cancervive Award shows in Los Angeles was incredible. As a teenager, I used to listen to him on Joni Mitchell albums wondering who the sax player was and then there he was to my right on stage playing sax on my song.

There are so many moments I’m grateful for. My song “Greed Incorporated,” winning the 2021 Best Alternative Rock Song in The Artist’s Forum Music Competition in NYC and recently being their Artist of the Month was thrilling. When my companion music video landed in 13 film and music festivals including one in Ireland, the generosity of friends and fans bought Tom and me two airline tickets which I’m forever grateful for!

What am I passionate about? Making something from nothing whether that’s a song, a video, a show, or an apple pie! Singing, acting, emceeing, voice-over work, and being a voice, acting, guitar, and stage performance coach. All of this has been and still is my full-time job and I love it! Is it a lot to juggle? YES, and…I can’t help myself. I could never pick and do just one!

What am I proud of? The fire in me to keep following my passion to build more skills that potentially support and grow my talents. My being willing to throw myself in the deep end creatively, open to reinvention. My resourcefulness and creative problem-solving. And…that no matter how busy my schedule gets, I’m ready to serve my community with my time and talents. It’s one of my missions and I’m proud to say, I do it regularly.

I’m proud to be a private voice, acting, and stage performance coach sharing my experience, and knowledge, to assist others to achieve their dreams. I coach professionals, those who used to sing or have the dream to sing, from kids to seniors. And…I also offer my online video coaching program, “Unlock the Singing Superstar in You,” It’s available online.

I’m far from retired and working creatively more now than ever! My creative partner Dev and I are fundraising to produce our movie musical, “WEirD Detention.” Through “Edu-tainment,” we guide teenagers to learn the skills of active listening, non-violent communication, and conflict resolution skills. It’s a legacy project for both of us and we are gettin’ it made soon.

I have four websites to check out – ShondraMusic.com, WeirdDetention.com, TheTwoLucys.com, and TomAndShondra.com. They’re all very different from each other and offer lots of fun videos and information. Everyone is invited to take the tours. A link to my online voice coaching program can be found on ShondraMusic.com, and my songs are there for sale including on iTunes, Apple Music, and other online music sites.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When COVID restrictions blew into full swing by mid-March 2020, our full performance schedule completely cleared to zero. My husband Tom had been performing in a popular nightly Cowboy dinner show for 16 years and after March 17th, that showroom closed. A year later it was sold. My creative partner Dev and I had just enjoyed a successful performance run with plans to tour and those plans were decimated. No gigs, no shows, no tours…nothing.

After the shock of this new reality started to wear off, I explored other ways money could be made with our talents to sustain ourselves.

As many “Giggers,” did, we too applied for financial aid and it took several months of standing in lines for hours to get paperwork submitted for that financial help which finally came. Sedona had opened up by the end of May although places to perform had shut down. A lot changed here in town during that time. Many of our friends passed and many moved away. By Summer 2020 through 2021, Tom and I had sung for more celebration of life services than we could count.

Like many singers, Tom and I performed concerts online accepting donations. Interestingly enough, we made good money doing that. I started coaching my voice and acting students online and everyone shifted to be okay with that. Because of the success of my music video, I parlayed that into video shoots and editing promotional videos for a few companies in town.

In the middle of all of this, I received a call from a friend asking if I needed money and she requested that I come to her home to talk with her about what she could do to help me. Can you imagine getting a call like that? Yes, it was a little shocking. She gave me a check to purchase some studio equipment I needed and tuition for an online music-producing class. Later she even helped me buy a dedicated Mac Book Pro for the videos and music projects that I was pursuing.

Then by Dec. 2020, a cohort whom I had not connected with for years called to ask if I was licensed to officiate weddings (I was), and offered me work. COVID found her business booming for couples getting married out in the Sedona Red Rocks. Because I’d held down Music Director gigs for weekly services for Unity of Sedona and the Center for Positive Living Sedona for well over ten years, I knew this was something I knew I could easily do. So I started doing that.

Many gifts for me personally came out of the COVID years. I took time to focus on building up additional skills so I had more to offer clients. Having shot, and edited promotional videos in 2020 and 2021, helped me land a year of creative work in 2023 for a company here in town. I promoted and made 75 videos for six of their stores including their showroom where we’ve performed many times. I also conducted LIVE streaming interviews with many Top Billboard Chart Jazz artists performing in concert there that I’ve been fans of for years. What fun THAT was! That job also gave reasons for me to learn and use Canva for videos and posters. I also know a lot more about Final Cut and social media platforms. I’ve learned that blessings come in all disguises and COVID was one of them.

It’s important to understand that change happens and being flexible and open-minded is essential for continued success in any field and certainly in mine. And to remember that being resourceful is always a good choice to embrace.

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?

Most people not in the business – meaning making money as a musician and actor think of this career as having a golden life occupation as it’s also an Avocation. True…and…what they might NOT know is the pitfall reality of doing this for a living. Now don’t get me wrong. I love what I do and always encourage those with passion, talent, and drive to work full-time in this business. Yes…it IS a business, VERY different than most.

There are no benefits, no vacation or sick leave hours. No one is deducting your taxes and there are no end of the year bonus. Especially if you’re a musician, you’ll spend hours hauling equipment to and from gigs/shows, setting up and tearing down that equipment after expending your energy for hours in front of audiences. Then take it all home, unload it, and do the whole process again for the next gig.

The money you’re paid depends on the kind of gigs or shows you do. You’ll have to sign with an agent to get you that work or find someone to teach you how to sell yourself as a product, book it, and create contracts.

You can work for hours and weeks and still be short of keeping the lights on.

You’ll perform for enthusiastic audiences and also those who will care less, talking incessantly during your performances.

There are drunks that you will sometimes have to deal with and you always ALWAYS have to suck it up and be nice even when you’re exhausted and on your last nerve.

You’ll take the gigs and shows when they come – even on holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and even when you have serious family matters.

You must show up even when you lack energy from consecutive performances or just plain don’t feel like it. Believe me….there WILL be those times. And..you’re paid to give that audience a show even if there’s hardly anyone attending. I’ve had four-hour gigs where not one person was in the room and I was still expected to perform as if it was a full house and did.

Unexpected things can happen on and off stage with clients and audience members. You have to be quick on your feet, and always polite because like any service industry job, the client is always right even when they aren’t. You also want to keep your job cause you’ll need it. There are SO many talented artists out there who would love your job and would be happy to take it.

Rehearsals can be long and grueling especially tech rehearsals for plays and musicals. Keeping a band together can be almost near impossible because everyone has their own direction and schedule.

It takes tremendous energy, focus, discipline, and perseverance to keep your determination alive when you don’t land the gig, the role, or the goal you’ve worked so hard for or put so much of your time and energy towards.

As an actor/actress, you’ll have to let rejection slide off of your ego. You indeed may have been the most talented at the audition and didn’t get the role. It may be simply because you weren’t tall enough or thin enough or you didn’t have a good look or chemistry with a fellow actor OR the producer’s buddy who put up the money for the show is putting his oh-so-not-talented cousin in that role.

Being that said, and yes, I’ve gone through all of this…I LOVE my chosen career. For me, it’s a must-do. The rewards of moving people to laughter, and tears, making a positive difference with my talents, outweigh my hard work and sacrifices. It’s my passion and it’s what I love to do. If you or someone you know feels this kind of fire in them to be in this business, please support them. It’s WAY more challenging with a lack of support from family or friends.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shondramusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shondraMusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShondraMusic
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shondra-jepperson-150613192
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcczOq04zxw
• Other: https://theartistsforum.org/artist-of-the-month-2024-shondra-jepperson/ https://shondramusic.mastermind.com/directory/ https://weirddetention.com/ https://thetwolucys.com/video-improv https://tomandshondra.com/entertainment-menu