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September 5, 2022

Summer and Fall 2022!

It has been a very busy few months!

In June I performed two amazing pieces at The Lineup With Susie Mosher at Birdland Jazz in New York! I had the incredible privilege of singing "I Love a Piano," and "Our Love is Here To Stay" with the amazing Billy Stritch, Sean Harkness, and The Lineup Band. Susie always has a wonderful show and it's always such a thrill to sing at Birdland. You can view some of the videos on my video page!

Soon after, I performed a wonderful concert with Michael Lasser and Alan Jones at the JCC Rochester Canalside Stage! We did favorites from Gershwin, Berlin, Arlen, and more!

In July I lead Camp VOICE; part of the VOICExperience Foundation's training program for young singers. This year, we held our week long workshops and performances at Iowa State University!

Soon after, I completed a recital with my dear friend, Yoshiko Arahata, singing operatic selections from my favorite arias, and several pieces from musical theater and Jazz!

August was extremely busy! I spent three weeks in Savannah! I recreated my role of Alice, in Michael Ching's opera, Alice Ryley. I also performed the role of Lucy, in Anna Hunter, while covering the role of Louise. The next day I performed several beautiful pieces in our Sacred Song concert, followed by some outreach events, and finished with our beautiful gala, in honor of the most wonderful and beautiful mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade. It was a dream. I also covered Marthe in Faust, and assisted in the final performances.

It is September now! I am now at Nazareth College, where I teach voice, Song Literature and....I'm newly the Artistic Director of the Opera! I love stage directing! I am working our students on a new setting of Viardot's Cendrillon; and blending some other wonderful surprises with a Cinderella theme! We call it, Cinderella's Royal Ball: A Multiverse Experience! You can expect to see that onstage in January 2023!

In a few weeks, I begin some of my tour with radio host, Michael Lasser and pianist, Alan Jones. We begin in New England and tour the Great American Songbook!  I always love singing these beautiful pieces! Keep a look out for new music and new posts!

Happy Fall!

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April 22, 2022

Jessica to release singles with BestEverProductions!

Jessica is working with BestEverProductions to release new singles this summer! Check back on the details! Producer and Arranger: Greg Best!

Jessica is working with her brother, composer and producer, Greg Best, to bring new music in Fall 2022! Check back for more information soon!

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March 27, 2022

Jessica Sings the Great American Songbook! Winter Serenades with Michael Lasser and Alan Jones.

Listen as Jessica joins Michael Lasser and Alan Jones in an exploration of the Great American Songbook! Winter Serenades! Presentation by the town of Brockport and St. Luke's Episcopal.
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March 20, 2022

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral : Voices in the Cathedral. VoiceExperience Foundation.

Jessica sings with VOICExperience! at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Churchin Tarpon Springs, FL.

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March 8, 2022

Live From Hochstein! WXXI!

"Live from Hochstein returns with a lunchtime concert by faculty from the Nazareth College of Music with highlights from the Women in Music Festival on March 23rd at 12:10pm The lunchtime concert series Live from Hochstein is returning this spring, with a program of music composed by women. The music includes a Viola Sonata by Rebecca Clarke – who performed the sonata here in Rochester in 1923 for George Eastman at his house; Song Without Words for Clarinet and Piano by Libby Larson; Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds; and a set of vocal pieces by Alma Mahler, Lili Boulanger, and Amy Beach. The program features Ryan Hardcastle, viola; Marcy Bacon, clarinet; Yoshiko Arahata, piano; Jacob Ertl, piano; and Jessica Best, mezzo-soprano."

Listen to Jessica and Yoshiko perform pieces from Viardot, Amy Beach, Alma Mahler, and Lucy Simon!

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February 4, 2022

Watch Jessica sing Carmen with Salt Marsh Opera! Now Available on Youtube!

Watch Jessica sing the title role in Carmen with Salt Marsh Opera!

Watch Jessica sing the title role of Carmen with Salt Marsh Opera! Now on Youtube!

You can find the link here: https://youtu.be/b5WEieyzkIk

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