Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Jackson.
Hi Alexis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California. I found my love for the arts in the church. My mom was always playing gospel music and singing in the choir, so I followed in her footsteps. I started singing in the church choir and then I started performing in the plays. Once my parents saw my passion to perform, they enrolled me into a performing arts school in Orange County. Once I transferred schools in third grade, I joined every creative extracurricular offered at that school. I had back to back rehearsals for dance classes to choir rehearsals to playing trumpet in the band. I started writing music when I was about nine, using it as an outlet to vent. Over time, songwriting turned into a hobby. Once I transferred to a local public school, I took choir as an elective. My choir teacher gave the class an opportunity to try out for a theatre troupe, so I took up the opportunity. From the seventh grade to my junior year of high school, I was able to perform in 5 theatre shows and we recorded at Capitol Records. I am so grateful for opportunity to tour in Europe in 2014 to perform in Belgium at a summer music festival and record at Abbey Road Studios with the London Philharmonic Symphony. We were conducted by Richard Sherman, who worked side by side with Walt Disney and that experience solidified my dream to spend my life creating music.
By the time I had to make my college decision, I knew I wanted to major in music. However, finding a local school with an amazing music program was difficult. I decided to stay close to home and attended the University of California, Riverside. Unfortunately, I felt like I wouldn’t excel in their music program, so I changed my major to Political Science. I really enjoyed the program and I had the opportunity to work as a legal assistant at a family law firm. But I still wasn’t 100% happy with my plans. By the end of the first quarter of my junior year, I transferred to the Los Angeles Recording School for their Music Production program. I can confidently say that transferring schools was the best decision I’ve made in my life so far. My life did a complete 180 spin and I knew God was setting up my musical journey. Being able to network with students and teachers at school ultimately helped me find my current team. We’ve got many things planned and I am so excited for what’s in store.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been blessed with. It has been a relatively smooth road for the most part. I’ve been blessed with many loving friends and family consistently supporting me. I’m especially blessed to have known my best friend Marissa. She always supported my pursuit in music, and it was so inspiring to see her passion when it came to swim. We were a dynamic duo. In my junior year of high school, she had a seizure and was later diagnosed with brain cancer. Her strength and recovery was truly one of the most miraculous things I’ve witnessed. She bounced back to her regular activities quickly. By the time we graduated, she was able to finish all of her high school plans and even qualified for CIF for swim. Once we started going to college, it was difficult not seeing her all the time, but we always checked in with each other. Unfortunately, she passed away in early March of 2021. I am extremely grateful for her love and our sisterhood. Her passion to go through life with intentions purely out of love and perseverance really showed me an easier way to maneuver throughout life. I’m blessed to know that she’s always going to be watching over me. The first few months of 2021 have been a wild ride, but each day brings new blessings.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am mainly focusing on singing, writing, and producing right now. I’ve always gravitated towards old school R&B growing up, and a lot of my music has that influence. Some of my favorite artists growing up were Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Jojo. They inspire my sound especially when it comes to my production. As of lately, I’ve been writing with upcoming artists to assist with their lyrics and vocal production. In the process, I have fallen in love with the networking aspects. But I have also been working with some amazing producers and artists developing a catalog of work. I am in the works of a collaborative project with producer, Anderson Knight and with artist, Ruepratt. I’m still focused on getting my Music Production degree from the Los Angeles Recording School. I have hopes to graduate around late September or October of 2021.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was pretty outgoing, but I’ve always had a very small circle. I grew up in the church, so most of my lifelong friends are from church. I’ve always had an easy time talking to people and developing relationships. My parents always made sure their kids were involved in some type of extracurricular activity. But everyone knew our schedules were always busy. For my brothers, they chose the band and sports, and I chose the arts. I’ve always been independent and headstrong with the decisions that I’ve made. Having my mom as an amazing example of an alpha woman has definitely shaped the woman I am today. I’m blessed to have been molded by the support system of my family, friends, and church.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisrjackson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexisrjackson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCswacNNXEYZ2k4bwL7yFoRw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/alexisrjackson
Image Credits
Chandler Blanco Tim Pojim
