SCF Foundation - Inspire Magazine Fall 2015/2016

Jade Turner is a dynamic vocalist who was tapped at a young age to perform with the Performers Theatre Workshop at a cabaret club in New York City. SCF Foundation scholarships made it possible for Jade, who worked a full-time job and took 21 credits a semester, to return to SCF in her second year to star as Anita in “West Side Story.”

Awards and Scholarships: Max Corzilius Music Scholarship Fund at the SCF Foundation; Koenig Scholarship Fund at the SCF Foundation; SCF Music Theatre Scholarship; Second place, Freshman Musical Theatre, and First Place, Sophomore Musical Theatre, at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Tampa Bay Chapter Conference; Second Place, Sophomore Musical Theatre, at the Southeastern Regional NATS Conference; Best Female Vocalist and Best Newcomer, Booker High School for the Performing Arts.

First Music Experience: My mom woke me up to Tina Turner's “Proud Mary” when I was a toddler. I’d stand in my crib and start bouncing with the biggest grin on my face.

Dominick the Donkey: I was in pre-Kindergarten and we sang our Christmas song, “Dominick the Donkey,” which I thought was hilarious because that was my brother’s name. I called him donkey the whole Christmas Season.

When I was in eighth grade, I went to an audition for “Rent,” and I belted out the song, "Out Tonight." Even though that song was extremely inappropriate for a 13-year-old, they looked past it and gave me the part.

From the Stage of “West Side Story”: When I was younger, I watched “West Side Story” with my mother, so playing the role of Anita was a real honor. Sometimes, I feel selfish when I'm on stage because I forget that the audience is there, and I get lost in the moment. I grow as a person and a musician when I am doing shows.

Experience at SCF: What's great about SCF is that I get individual attention. Rex Willis genuinely cares about us as students. It's more than just a job to him. Melodie Dickerson is one of the best vocal teachers I've ever had. She doesn’t let you get away with anything, but she'll support you 110%. I've never had a teacher like her. She makes you feel fearless and confident. I didn't know there was another level I had to push for until I met her.

Turner transferred to the University of Tampa to earn her bachelor's degree. She moved to New York after college and has also returned to Sarasota to perform with the Asolo Repertory Theatre.