Jenna Strong
Singer, Dancer, Actress, Percussionist & Songwriter
Music has been an integral part of Jenna's life from an early age. During sharing time in Mrs. Harris’s first grade class, Jenna got up the courage to sing the jazz tune Summer Time, which she had practiced in the shower for a whole week. “I still remember being laughed at by some of the kids in class because what I was sharing was way out of the norm. I consider that moment being like a huge fork in the road of my life. Had I not had the courage to sing and possibly face embarrassment, I don’t know if I would ever be singing or doing the things I am today.”
Soon after discovering her interest in singing, she also discovered her love for dance. “I had this fascination with Michael Jackson. Every time I heard his music, whether it was elevator music or not, I would stop what I was doing and start break-dancing.” Jenna’s mother recognized this passion for dance and at the age of 7, Jenna began training in many forms of dance, including ballet, tap, and jazz. Jenna still studies dance today (mainly jazz) at the Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, California. From time to time Jenna choreagraphs worship dance for her home church. She also teaches jazz at a local dance studio.
Acting and writing for theater is another passion in Jenna’s life. “My favorite role I ever played has to be Peggy Sawyer, a girl trying to make it on Broadway, in 42nd Street during my senior year of high school.” It is one of Jenna’s dreams to be able to perform concerts with Nathan that include full drama and worship dance productions (if only Nathan could do the splits!). “I don’t think God puts ideas on our heart like that without reason, so we’ll see what He does with it.” Today, Jenna uses her theatrical writing talents to write short monologues and skits for her church.
“The biggest and best part of my life was when I handed my talents over to Jesus. My whole life I had wanted to be ‘famous’. When I was little I used to tell my mom, ‘Take me to Hollywood and take me now!’ Although I didn’t grow up in a Christian home I always believed that there was a God. I just didn’t pay much attention to Him unless I was in pain or trouble. My mom didn’t take me to Hollywood, but I wonder what my life would have been like if she had. Staying in one community while I grew up turned out to be exactly what I needed for God to break through to me. Would I have ever been asked to speak at church that one particular night – a night that made me take the time to reflect on what I wanted to share? Would I have ever learned that night that I had been living my whole life for myself, and my dreams, and my goals as opposed to God’s? Would I have ever learned that singing, dancing, and acting for my fame alone could never ever fill me with love and joy like I have when I am singing, dancing, and acting for the fame of Jesus? That has to be the greatest lesson I have ever learned.”
Jenna’s musical experience includes singing with a variety of choirs, playing acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica, piano, and a wide variety of percussion instruments. From age 14 to 17 she was a recording artist and songwriter for a local independent R&B label, Phurst Degree Records. In 2004 she earned her BA in music. Her musical influences include Waterdeep, 100 Portraits, R&B, Motown, and Michael Jackson.