SAM PIKE
Staff Writer
Though her musical talent has landed her a nearly life-long title as “the girl who sings,” sophomore Jessica Rotter’s dynamic and thoughtful personality causes her to strive for a life that exceeds stereotypes.
In her journey toward discovering what is truly important, Rotter has come to accept that she cannot rely on others’ vision for her life.
“I feel as though everyone else gives me plenty of life suggestions, but, for the first time, I feel able to choose what I will be known for,” said Rotter, who is in between majors right now.
Singing, the greatest of Rotter’s talents and passions, has followed her everywhere she has gone. Her career started at the age of 4, when she joined the preschool choir at Calvary Community Church of Westlake.
“From that point on, we just knew that Jessica was extremely talented,” said Geri Rotter, Jessica’s mom. “The church has always been a great help in furthering Jessica’s abilities,” she continued, adding that “by the time she was 7, Jessica was singing worship in front of 300 to 400 people.”
This ability has developed over the past 14 years and allowed her to play minor roles in movies like “Tarzan,” “The Santa Claus” and “High School Musical.” Rotter said one of her most memorable jobs was a Burger King commercial for the 2006 Super Bowl. Rotter’s talent even inspires awe in her experienced voice coach.
“Jessica is one of the most talented people I’ve worked with in over 30 years of teaching world class singers,” said Rebecca Somberg, Rotter’s voice coach. Somberg added, “she can truly sing anything, from opera to theater to jingles.”
Rotter’s adaptability is what makes her voice so special and is what has enabled her to develop talent in varied fields. When not performing opera or studio singing, Rotter has used her humor and stage presence in theatrical productions, even serving as president of her high school’s drama club.
“She’s very funny in theater, almost like a Lucille Ball,” Geri said. “By just coming on stage, she can cause the whole crowd to smile.”
Ironically, the talent that opened so many doors throughout her life sometimes feels like a prison, Rotter said. Often, the most difficult decision this gifted Pepperdine sophomore faces is deciding on how to invest in her artistic abilities.
“Part of me knows I’m going to end up staying in Southern California, teaching music and theater while I do studio singing on the side,” Rotter admitted. “But if I could do anything, I would want to be able to look out upon a crowd of people that are singing and being touched by the words that I wrote, while I performed them.”
Perhaps it is a gift from God, or simply her unusual personality, but something is always pushing Rotter to embrace every part of who she is.
Art is important to her because she firmly believes that people are made in the image of an infinitely creative God. This has lead to an emergence of differing artistic genres in her life.
Her desire for creation has caused her to branch off from simply singing and performing to pursuing poetry and song writing.
“I just don’t feel fulfilled singing what others have written, because if I’m not creating, I feel dead,” Rotter said. “Writing songs and poetry are my art—they are my message.”
And the message she wants to express is a humanitarian one. Rotter’s reputation for social activism is second only to that of her musical performance.
“Issues such as forced prostitution and the crisis in Darfur really hit my heart hard,” Rotter said.
As a longtime believer in the attainability of world peace, Rotter had previously believed pacifism was the answer to the world’s problems. However, her views on progress have recently undergone a dramatic transformation.
“I feel as though I’ve matured and come to realize that rarely will positive change come about without some sort of conflict,” she said soberly.
Though she still describes herself as an idealist, Rotter is attempting to reconcile that idealism with the world in which she lives. Whether in the world of politics, performance or personal expression, the internal debate centers on what seems possible and what seems probable, she said.
Part of her recent growth has involved completing a two-year long project that will compile all of her best musical performances onto one CD. This will make getting her name out among employers easier and allow her to build a reputation for her post-college years, Rotter said.
Although there is a constant inner battle between becoming an artist and a cookie cutter performer, Rotter said her main objective is to live a life worthy of the God she loves.
“I want to use my singing and creativity to bring glory to God and change the world,” she said.
She believes that, only in this way, will all her eclectic talents and desires come together to make a life as beautiful as the voice that propels it.
03-22-2007