Meet Jacqueline S. Donley | Artist & Director of Ovation School for the Performing Arts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline S. Donley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline S., where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from the Washington, DC metropolitan area. In DC, children are deeply impacted by the professions associated with the area, including civil servants, military, and the understanding that you or your friend’s parent may be disarming a bomb, protecting a world leader, or handling a hostage negotiation. The world doesn’t revolve around your birthday party or 6th grade graduation. While trips to the White House were always lovely, you always knew the visit was a result of a tremendous sacrifice by the entire family unit. I learned the art of ‘time and place’, humility, and what sacrifice looks like each day. The same person making the impossible decision would then rush in a suit over to their kid’s soccer game and pretend that the day hadn’t happened.

In my family, the goal was to fulfill a life of service while doing what you love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The journey is.
As a child, I was small for my age, academically delayed, with a speech impediment, had a difficulty in reading comprehension, while riding the ‘short bus’.
This placed me in a special needs class with a pretty comprehensive understanding that– I had not adapted to life.

When I first joined the swim team, I was disqualified frequently for improper stroke technique. I worked for 45 minutes with an instructor one afternoon which led to training year-round and competing at State meets.
When I learned to play softball, I struck out my entire first season. After my neighbor recommended I try batting ‘the other way’,
I became a skilled softball catcher.
When I learned to play the piano, I didn’t understand why “Every Good Boy Does Fine”, and what that had to do with music?
After a good nights sleep, I could read my piano music, and I became a child ‘Piano Accompanist’ at age 9.
Age 11, I began studies in flute and piccolo and pit percussion.
Age 17, I became the Drum Major of my high school marching band and trained out-of-state which led to work as a conductor.
In my late teens, I began vocal training. This led me to musical theatre and musical directing shows through my 20s.
As a young adult, I studied dance and became a working choreographer.
In my 20’s, I became a professional actress after studying on different continents and attending Stella Adler Acting Studio in West Hollywood for 7 years.
In my 30’s, (while working on a feature film), I began to hear music in my head, which led me back to school to become a Music Composer for Film and TV.

Some people see me as some kind of a prodigy. Honestly, I believe we have beautiful gifts that are dormant, and we just need to learn how to learn. Most importantly, to remain open.

In 2010, I connected with Ovation School for the Performing Arts, a 501c3 nonprofit in Upland. Ovation is a safe-haven for children to discover their gifts and build character. It is also a safe haven for established artists (like me) who seek a place to continue their discovery and sense of purpose within their expertise.

I am at Ovation School for the Performing Arts, because John Lewis and Becky Broyles saved my life after a hard road in my 20s, and gave me a safe place to thrive in all aspects of life. We work on sets, in studios, and on projects with world changing Producers, Directors, Artists, Leaders, and Friends.
As of 2025, I am the Director of Programs at Ovation, and work as an artist. My position is to get a pulse on the needs of the upcoming generations, and to reach the kids wherever they are. I work primarily as a music composer, actress, and choreographer.
I assist my partners, John and Becky, in theatrical shows, film shoots, music production, classes, fundraising, event coordination, and connecting with community leaders. I inspire tired parents, choreograph massive flash mobs, make tracks for shows, guide artists on their journeys at all ages, and motivate kids to follow me, trust me, work with me, and to surpass their circumstances. History informs us that this is the natural evolution of the artist; to mentor.
After 15 years of service, I can’t think of a higher calling and it is the most impactful work I do on a global scale. It is a preventative measure for the future of humanity, to place heart and ethics at the forefront of all we do.
My personal creativity and wellbeing is the driving force behind it all, so I must have my own passion projects.
Right now I am finishing scoring music for a feature film, “At Last I Found You” through our production company: Moon Shadow Entertainment, LLC.
In my family, there’s a strong itch to continue learning and never remain sedentary in your work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Palos Verdes Estates is like a home to me. My grandparents lived there for decades. Grabbing açaí bowls, and sitting on the beach, followed by a thai massage (not for the faint of heart). I also would take any friend to Ovation School for the Performing Arts. It is my “Neverland”, and the place of loving friends that I am so grateful for. It’s a comforting place to be for everyone.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to Mandi Albert and Erin Simison! Mandi and Erin both have managed to find their laugh, find their motivation, use their education for the betterment of others, and continue to discover new talents within themselves. They are keeping me on track!

Website: https://www.ovationperformingarts.org

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