Elice Giorgione
A&E Assistant
Graham Shea/Asst.Photo Editor
There are millions of gifted people on this planet, struggling to find ways to use their talent to bring joy into their own lives and the lives of others. Not everyone is able to share her God-given gift with the world, and scores of people unfortunately go unnoticed for their abilities. This, however, is not the case with senior public relations major Jessica Kloor.
Growing up in El Cajon, California in San Diego county, Jessica discovered her passion for music at the early age of 3. Since then, she has explored and developed her gift, and as both a singer and a Christian, used it to serve and honor God. And now she has reached a landmark point in her singing career, newest member of Pepperdine worship as the group Won by One.
“My parents put me in voice lessons at (age 3),” Kloor said. “My first performance was at this little restaurant, and it landed me an article in the local newspaper.”
Her parents not only began her interest in music, but sustained it as well.
“My inspiration has always been my mother. She is a junior high music teacher of 24 years, and I have grown up around music,” Kloor said. “My mother is my musical hero. (Music) has been the one constant in her life. She loves it and has instilled that love in me as well.”
In junior high, Kloor took part in all of her mother’s programs. She was a singer and actress in her musical theatre class. She sang in the choir. She played percussion in the band.
Her childhood was also filled with many singing-related activities outside of school.
“I love reminiscing on my early performances,” she said.
At age 5, she was in her first musical, “The Sound of Music” at the San Diego Starlight Opera playing the role of Gretel. A year later she performed at her first Padres game. And she cites her favorite summer ever as the one in which she performed at over 100 senior citizen homes in San Diego. In high school, she sang in choirs and performed with the Granite Hills Acting Workshop where she was involved in their yearly musicals.
“Music is a universal language of every age and culture. I feel as though I can touch so many people,” Kloor niver said.
That love for music, along with a strong Christian faith helped lead Kloor to Pepperdine where she majored in vocal performance for two years before switching to a public relations major with a music minor.
When asked what exactly paved her path to Pepperdine, Jessica answered: “God!” She applied to four universities: USC, University San Diego, Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine, and felt confused when she got wait-listed at USC because her mother, grandfather and grandmother were all alumni. She eventually chose Pepperdine but “I really felt God made the decision for me. He guided me here,” she said.
“When she was first accepted into Pepperdine as a music major I was so proud of her,” said Jessica’s mother, Joan Kloor. “And now, I am extremely proud of her once again for her acceptance into Won by One.”
In her time here, Jessica has been involved in several university productions. She was a chorus member in “42nd Street” her freshman year and was in the chorus of the opera “Abduction from the Seraglio” her sophomore year. And now, in her senior year, she has finally achieved the dream she has been pursuing for two years to become a member of Won by One.
“I sing on the praise team here at the University Church of Christ,” she said. After auditioning two years ago and finally making it, I now know that God has chosen me to be a conduit for his message. He’s not finished molding me yet, but for now I think Won by One is part of the process for me to grow as a Christian.”
She describes her experience with the group so far as unlike any feeling.” Last weekend she traveled with the group to Faith Quest in Portland for an incredible weekend filled with new experiences and fantastic recruiting opportunities,” and this upcoming weekend she will accompany them to Lancaster to sing at a youth rally on Friday and at the Corona Area Wide on Sunday. “I love singing and performing,” she said. “But to sing for God and inspire others to rejoice in thanksgiving, it is a great ministry.”
Five years from now, Jessica sees herself “singing for God, whether it be in church, the bathroom or wherever I am led to sing.”
“I would really love to have someone discover her,” said Mrs. Kloor. “I think she has a gorgeous voice a real God-given talent. I would like for her to be able to sing Christian music or do something that is really worthwhile and benefits other people – not something selfish, but somehow give back to society.”
Jessica’s own personal dream is to sing Christian music professionally and tour half the year and then participate in world wide missions trips the other half the year so I can promote the missions trips when I tour.” And although she doesn’t know right now how exactly music will fit into her future and career, she knows one thing for certain: she will always sing” it’s just in what context that is yet to be determined.
09-09-2004