After a few minor glitches on our part we were able to sit down and enjoy not only a wonderful dinner but also an enjoyable variety of music.  Jenna sang, about 8:30, a song by Sheryl Crow and another byAlanis Morissette with a few of her own tossed in for good measure.  She sings confessional alternative music, as does her idol, Alanis Morissette.

When asked what made her decide to start singing she quickly answers Alanis.  She first decided to follow in Alanis’ footsteps at the age of 13.  She started taking voice and guitar lessons and a few months later started singing at Orbits and hasn’t looked back yet. 

In her ‘spare time’ she fits in drama club where she was recently seen as a featured soloist in Mr. Bojangles at Massaponax High School.  She also fits in bass guitar lessons and writes musical reviews for The Free-Lance Star.  Oh, and don’t forget, of course, the songs she writes in her ‘studio' in the basement at home.

All of her songs have a meaning to her at the time that she writes them.  Sometimes they make fun of something she has done or life in general.  She uses her music and songwriting ability to relieve the stresses in her life or help her deal with something happening in life.  Her parents who are always there to support her never have any idea what they will hear from her until she steps up on the stage to sing.  They don’t mind having it that way, as they know she is making the best of life and can always speak with her later.  So far however they have not had a need to do so.

On the personnel side she is said to have a ‘captivating personality’.  And that is obvious by the various friends and teachers who show up regularly to support her.  When you speak to her friends or teachers they have nothing but great things to say about her and wish her the best.  They know she’ll go far in life.

   What I observed when watching her and after speaking with her is that she is a little on the shy side when it comes to really speaking one on one about her music. (Although I think it was more a little embarrassment in being put in the spotlight but she’ll need to get use to that!)  One thing however that was brought across loud and clear was that she enjoys what she does and intends to continue to do so for as long as possible.

What does her family think about what she is doing?  They couldn’t be prouder of her!  One of her parents is regularly there to support her, along with her Grandma and sister.  You don’t see people beam as brightly as they do when asked about Jenna.  They know this is what she wishes to do and knows she’s great at it!

She looks forward to entertaining you on Monday nights so see you there!  Perhaps some day soon you’ll be hearing her on the radio and you can say “I knew her when” ……

You’ll also be able to hear her on June 10 about 2ish in the Orbit’s parking lot for the ‘Fork It Over Festival’. See you in August for another featured person in Fredericksburg.

Simply Fredericksburg was able to record Jenna singing on one of the Orbit's Open Mic Nights. You can listen to her by clicking on the links below. We used Real Audio to record and play back her songs. You can download Real Audio for free at http://www.real.com

Editors note: We are always looking for people to feature in our People of Fredericksburg section of SimplyFredericksburg. If you know someone that would make a great person to feature, please contact us here