By Kelli Saunders
Staff Writer
Mira Costa junior Jane Fishman’s passion for music has driven her away from home for five weeks to practice and play with world renowned musicians.
This past summer, Fishman attended the Berklee five-week music program in Boston, Massachusetts where she was able to work with a renowned faculty and students all over the world. She attended a variety of chosen classes and learned from many different accomplished teachers and students.
“At the program I got to take the classes a student of the college would take,” Fishman said. “I was in the required classes like music theory and musicianship. I also had classes based around my primary instrument, which was vocals, and the option of taking classes based around a major.”
Fishman heard about this program through her band mates who had done it the summer before. She decided that this program would be a great way for her to experience a new side of music with people who are as dedicated as she is.
“I just wanted to learn as much as possible and push myself forward,” Fishman said. “I also thought it would be a good way to really see if this is what I wanted to go to college for and pursue, because in my head it sounded solid. I just wasn’t sure how it would work for me in practice.”
Fishman is currently in a band called Soul on Tap, which she created with Vistamar senior Noah Viklund. Jane has also been a part of a jazz group called Young Musicians Performance Academy where she has the opportunity to work with award-winning ensembles and progressively expand her musical knowledge.
“YMPA is a jazz band run by Kenny Harrison, and it was such a great experience for me,” Fishman said. Through that program I met some of the most talented musicians I know. A huge part of music is making connections and I’m so lucky I connected with these people.”
Fishman’s talent is greatly contributed from her family’s involvement as a child. Her family has always been supportive and they pushed her into practicing everyday. Her dad plays the guitar, bass, and banjo and has always influenced her to be better.
“I wanted Jane to experience the sense of accomplishment that practice brings,” Jane’s father said. “I also wanted to make sure that Jane put in the time and effort to be in the best position to make decisions about where her music fits into her future.”
Not only does Fishman’s family support her in all of her endeavors, but her friends are also an immense support system. They are also interested in music and provide honest feedback for her songs and performances. They assist her with song ideas for her bands to cover and come to all of her gigs to cheer her on.
“I have been to countless performances and band gigs that she has played at and every time I watch, she seems to become a more talented singer and musician,” Costa junior Jackie Soliman said. “She is so gifted and I absolutely love to watch her sing and have a great time on stage.”
Fishman has devoted her life to music and in the future she’d like to be able to support herself doing what she loves, such as a job touring and performing with a band. She wants to continue to learn new skills and expand her ability.
“At this point it’s all school and music,” Fishman said. “I don’t think I’ve really found a way to balance it because there really is no balance. Music comes before school to me. So ya I’d say this music thing has taken over the rest of my life, but that’s exactly the way it should be. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
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