Carson high grad, acclaimed saxophonist to perform autobiographical concert tonight at BAC

Tonight only, July 21, one of Carson City’s own will grace the stage at the Brewery Arts Center at 7 p.m. Jessica Tucker, a classical saxophone player and 2013 Carson High School graduate is making waves on an international scale.

She has appeared at the world-famous Kennedy Center, received a Bachelors in Music Performance from the University of North Texas, and is on her way to begin a Masters program Gnesin Academy in Moscow on a full ride scholarship.

This young protégé is as talented as she is resilient. Born blind in her right eye, her challenges with depth perception have never affected her depth as an artist.

Tucker has learned to live in a three-dimensional world. When she was young, it would take her two or three tries to pick up a pencil.

But the moment she was introduced to musical at the Reno Philharmonic, she knew she was born to be a musician. Supported by encouraging parents, fantastic teachers, and patient mentors, Jessica grew up to realized her dream. As a musician, she plays to her strengths. She can’t play with the music stand to the right or share music with other musicians. But that has never stopped her from moving toward her dream.

Her concert tonight, “Bitter Endings and Bright Beginnings,” however, is less about her physical challenges and more about the mental challenge of leaving America behind to pursue her career in Russia.

“I’ve been in love with Russia since I was a little girl,” she reflects. “Walking through the streets of Moscow is like walking through a fairy tale. I’ve always loved Russian literature, music, and the Russian language. This is my opportunity. And although it’s sad to leave America for a while, I am excited for my future.”

And a bright future it may be, indeed. Two alumni from the Gnesin Academy in Moscow have won the International competition in classical saxophone. No American has ever won. If Jessica Tucker has her way, the first American to win will be from Carson City.

Although Tucker was the first Nevadan to ever win the VSA, the highest award in the International Association for Artists with Disabilities, in the VSA International Young Soloist Competition, she had to cope with a lot of rejection along the way.

“As a musician, I am constantly facing rejection and setbacks. There’s a lot of subjective judgement on your art, when you are a musician, and what you are putting forth,” she recalls. “Receiving a lot of rejections in a row feels frustration and I think ‘maybe I’m not cut out for this.’ But the rejection has been followed by success. Before I knew it, I was on stage at the Kennedy Center.”

When asked if she had any advice for young people dreaming big dreams, she responded, “Keep going back to the music stand failure, after failure, after failure. Even if one person doesn’t like it, someone else always will.”
Jessica Tucker is appearing accompanied by Carson City pianist Katie Lauder, who holds a Bachelors in Applied Music from the University of Nevada, Reno.

“I do my best when I am working in collaboration with other people,” says Lauder. “A UNR alumni connection put Jessica and I together. I am happy to have the opportunity to work in the field I was trained for in college and perform in my community with a talented artist.”

A portion of proceeds from the concert will help support Tucker as she takes the next step of her career in Russia. Although the artist was admitted on a full-ride scholarship, she is earning money toward living expenses in the country.

To purchase tickets for tonight’s concert, go to tinyurl.com/saxophonerecital. If you would like to support her as she makes her next big move toward her dream, go to https://www.youcaring.com/jessicatucker-879111. You can follow Jessica Tucker, her music, and her story at jessicarosetucker.com.

CONCERT INFORMATION
Jessica Tucker, accompanied by Katie Lauder
“Bitter Endings and Bright Beginnings”
Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall
July 21, 2017
7:00 PM
Tickets available online here or at the door.