How Auditioning for American Idol Shapes Jessica Johnston’s Approach to Teaching Music
At Lessons In Your Home, we’re proud to have such a diverse group of talented educators on our team, and Jessica Johnston is no exception. Her journey from performer to passionate music teacher brings a unique perspective to the way she nurtures her students. Most notably, Jessica has auditioned for American Idol not once, but twice, with her most recent audition just a month ago. Through this experience, she’s discovered many parallels between auditioning for a high-profile show like American Idol and the experiences our students have when they participate in recitals.
Singing While Carpooling
Jessica’s musical journey started early—at the age of seven, a friend’s parent noticed her naturally gifted voice while carpooling to school. This sparked her first music lessons, and even though she was considered too young, her mature voice earned her a place in Rockwell for musical theatre performance. Over the years, her classical training and consistent superior ratings pushed her toward the life of a performer. Yet, it wasn’t until she took a break from performing that she discovered an unexpected passion for teaching music. Now, she finds deep fulfillment in working with her students and helping them find their musical voice.
Bold Steps
Auditioning for American Idol was a bold step, but Jessica believes that whether or not you pass the audition isn’t the point. She shares this mindset with her students, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and audition or perform in recitals, much like she did. Jessica sees auditions and recitals as learning experiences, not endpoints. In the same way that American Idol is subjective, recitals are opportunities for growth, self-expression, and celebration of the individual, not a measure of talent or worth.
Embrace Your Qualities
For Jessica, music is a deeply personal journey. During her audition, she sang Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” a song that resonates with her because of its message about embracing your unique qualities. This message of self-acceptance is something she imparts to her students. Competitions, auditions, and performances are subjective, but what’s most important is that students embrace their individuality and grow through these experiences.
Audition Outcomes Don’t Define Talent
Jessica’s approach to teaching reflects the lessons she’s learned from her own auditions. She tells her students that the outcome of a competition doesn’t define their talent, just as it didn’t define her when she auditioned for American Idol. Instead, she focuses on helping them develop a healthy mindset, where trying and experiencing the process is more valuable than winning. This mentality encourages students to take risks and grow, not just as musicians, but as individuals.
Recitals Are Like Auditions
Recitals, like auditions, are an important part of the music learning experience. They allow students to showcase their hard work, gain confidence, and experience the thrill of performing for an audience—just like Jessica did during her American Idol auditions. Whether students are playing their first piano piece or singing a solo, the recital is a celebration of their journey, regardless of the outcome.
Jessica’s journey, from carpool singing to American Idol auditions, has shaped her into the music teacher she is today. Her students benefit from her real-world experience and the lessons she’s learned along the way—lessons of perseverance, passion, and the joy of sharing music with others. Through her teaching, Jessica aims to inspire the next generation of musicians to pursue their dreams, just as she continues to pursue her own.
Beautiful Things
Be sure to check out Jessica’s audition video, where she performs “Beautiful Things.” It’s a beautiful testament to her resilience and passion for music. And remember, the next time your student prepares for a recital, they’re embarking on their own unique journey, just like Jessica did when she stepped onto the audition stage.
