"Nurture Your Healthy Passions with Consistency Because Your Mind is the Limit." - Chatting with Jasmin White

Come on Sisters! Come on Brothers! It is my truest joy to introduce you to Jasmin White. This talented singer has a Masters in Voice and Opera from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music from The University of Southern California. She has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Works, among others.

I absolutely love Jasmin's voice, and if you ever have the chance to see her perform, you will definitely be in for a wonderful night at the theatre. I am so thrilled to have the chance to feature Jasmin! 

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?

I have a beautiful memory from when I was six and living on our reservation in Oregon where my mom entered me in our community talent show at the school.  For the occasion, my great-grandma, Eleanor, sewed me a beautiful metallic silver dress (with extra fringe), and my mom and grandma dressed me up with a dab of clear lip gloss, frilly ankle socks, and touches of silver-rhinestone jewelry. I remember the beauty and pageantry that swept me up with the promise of glamour. I felt fabulous! I recall the ambiance of performers preparing nervously in the auditorium, the warm yellow glow of those spotlights on my face, and feeling entirely wrapped up in my music and breathing. I had no concept of a career back then, but I absolutely knew I wanted to be a performer for life.

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the wonderful singer you are today?

Thank you! I am deeply grateful to the many teachers and mentors in my life who have helped me on my journey. The support I've been generously given for my art throughout my life is a strong part of the foundation of who I am and what I do.  

Jane Atherstone was my first serious voice teacher. I came to her at the age of 12, and she saw my potential and took me in like family. She wisely chose to spend our first few years together working on simple vocalizations while introducing my ear to the world of opera and classical music. Over the years, she lent me multitudes of VHS operas and CDs of singers like Callas, Norman, Sutherland, Cabballe, and Price. She also took me to an entire season at San Diego Opera and then to see my favorite singer at the time, Kiri te Kanawa, in concert in Palm Springs. Every performance we saw together further cemented in my mind the desire to be a part of the sensitive art of classical singing.

I also need to mention that when my family became too poor to continue my lessons, Jane sponsored me as her student for three years because of how much she believed in me and my art. I will always hold a special place of love and gratitude for Mrs. Atherstone.  

We are living in some unprecedented times in the world but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists (especially performers) it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?

I have been working on my final voice degree at Juilliard virtually since August and have, thankfully, been able to redevelop my routine through that stable time-commitment.

As for mental health, I've practiced meditation and mindfulness to deal with anxiety since I was a teenager, and since the pandemic started, I have expanded my practice to include yoga nidra/dream yoga and lucid dreaming. My practice also includes methods such as astral projection and self-hypnosis. I find importance in maintaining a consistent morning/evening routine and sleep schedule, so I'm fresh and motivated when it's time to practice and create. Creativity plays the dominant role in my life, so I get into my flow state often and for long periods of time with painting and drawing, beading, crocheting, listening to audiobooks, and Rubik's-cubing on repeat. My life has slowed down a lot, for which I'm grateful in many ways, but one thought that continues to come to mind is a deep love for the victims of this virus. 

Are there any operas, concerts, or performances that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart? 

My senior recital in undergrad was an important performance for me that will always be special in my memories. My grandma Grace passed away the year after, and that recital was the last time she was able to hear me sing. I look back and smile at the beautiful coincidence that, though I had long moved away from religion, I chose a set of her favorite spirituals about Jesus to end my recital. She was so proud and moved, and that is how I cherish the memory of the last time I was with her.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?

If you feel like you're losing your desire to create, consider taking a break and spending some time alone with yourself, eyes closed, electronics off, breathing deep. If you feel like your work needs to stay at that level, then own that peace of mind - it's an important aspect of your art.

Spend time exploring what excites your creativity and what dulls your colors, and remember what you learn about yourself and why your needs are important. Spend time writing in a journal, and you'll have found a constant friend in yourself. Remind yourself of your goals, ask yourself what gives you purpose, and return to those questions often. Nurture your healthy passions with consistency because your mind is the limit.