[/media-credit]Blossoming singer/songwriter Jessica Lerner has played a star for years at the San Diego Old Globe Theater and San Diego Repertory Theater. Now she is on the verge of becoming one.
Lerner, 21, has been the featured singer in the Teatro Máscara Mágica production of La Pastorela since she was in high school, singing the show-stopping songs of Estrella, the star of Bethlehem. Minus her rhinestone staff and sparkling white dress from La Pastorela, she can still light up the stage with her versatile voice.
Her much-anticipated first full-length CD is on schedule for a 2012 release, and her already-sizeable fan base is ready.
Like most “overnight sensations,” Lerner worked hard to get to this point in her career. She began piano and vocal training at age 8 and made her first trip to the recording studio as an 11 year old. She released her first recording at 19.
Unlike the Nickelodeon teen starlets, Lerner is an accomplished instrumentalist who writes her own songs and records the piano and guitar lines herself. But like most young artists, she had to find her footing.
“I used to think that all the songs I wrote were dumb, this is silly, nobody is going to like it,” said Lerner. “I had no confidence behind the work I was doing. I would go out there and sell what I had. When I got my first bits of feedback from people that was a huge boost of confidence for me.”
Though she needed to gain her song writing confidence, there was never much doubt in anyone’s minds that she could sing. Lerner sang “The Star Spangled Banner” as an 8 year old at Qualcomm Stadium and has performed at Padre’s games ever since. She began piano lessons at 8 at Southwestern College and studied voice with Joni Wilson.
That same year she debuted in her first musical, “The Return of the Proctor Valley Monster,” a Bonitafest Melodrama that opposed the construction of the 125 Tollway.
She was a featured soloist in the show that included many of the region’s best musical theatre performers.
Music came to Lerner at a young age, according to her mother, Pamela. Jessica first turned heads as a toddler singing her ABC’s.
“It was not really something I chose, I was just always inclined to music and singing,” said Lerner. “There were a couple of moments that I could think of right now that were kind of turning points or realization of this is who I would be or this is my calling.”
She fell in love with theater and was given the Billie Award from Coronado High School for her role as Ariel in “Footloose” in 2007 from the Coronado School of the Arts.
Born and raised in San Diego County, Lerner has developed a large fan base and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube. Fans respect her great talent, friendly bearing and quiet, thoughtful nature.
“Jessica’s really inspirational and she is one of my role models,” said Kaitlin Saythong. “Even though she has a life of her own, she is still dedicated to her fans.”
Lerner’s song “Miracle” sounds like a love song, but is a blanket message of encouragement to all young people to see the wonder within themselves.
“That song kind of kept evolving,” said Lerner. “I would rewrite it and rewrite the verse, and add a bridge. When I learned everything, I had to start with that one because it just kind of stuck with me.”
Pamela Lerner said her daughter takes the art of songwriting seriously.
“Good lyrics have a way of pulling people in when the content fits,” she said. “Jessica wants the message of her music to be meaningful and strong.”
Influences include Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill, though Lerner is often compared to Taylor Swift. Lerner, though, may be Swift’s superior as a vocalist and a musician.
Lerner’s CD has been nearly two years in production and should get a general release early next year. It features a variety of original pop composition, ballads and an exciting dance track.
Lerner said she hopes for a breakout, but will continue down her musical path regardless.
“I have never really been interested in anything else,” she said. “I don’t have any other burning passions that I would be happy with for the rest of my life, so I hope this works out.”
Pamela Lerner told Jessica that she would be there for her every step of the way and to always be honest.
“Jessica’s soul makes her special,” said her mother/manager. “Her music is only one facet that she uses to express who she is off stage. She is a beautiful, kind, loving person.”
