We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenelle Catherina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenelle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t know anything else, truly. I grew up with parents who were former singers/musicians and was raised on their favorite songs and stories of performing them and traveling the world. I started singing at family gatherings at 2 years old and I never really stopped. I’ve always been a late bloomer and didn’t really fall in love with the stage until high school when I joined my school’s choir at the height of the era of Glee and Pentatonix. This introduced me to so many different music styles as well as singing in complex harmonies and different languages. It made me realize just how universal the language of music really is and how deep the unspoken communication can go. It was the thing in my life that lit up the deepest parts of my soul the most. Still is! Even when my parents tried to convince me to get a backup career, I was too stubborn and bored to continue with it. Now my passion for singing and music has taken me all around the country, and has started to take me around the world. It’s pretty wonderful! By going against their wishes, I actually unintentionally followed in my parents footsteps by working for the same cruise line as them more than 30 years later. Life is funny. I’m excited to see where else it takes me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always loved the unusual. Being the anime nerd, boy band and acapella obsessed kid in high school who didn’t really care but also totally cared about what other people thought made me used to going against the grain I suppose. I didn’t have a traditional career route, as I mostly perform musical theatre and pop while graduating with a degree in Vocal Performance at the opera program at UNLV. I tend to gravitate towards project that represent the unrepresented, and like to add my own twists to otherwise popular music and theatre pieces. It wasn’t easy finding my own style and image and I’m still actively working on it but I get closer and closer every day! I 100% support the notion of being multi-hyphenated. I’m not just a theatre actress, I’m also a classically trained jazz, rock, and pop singer who cosplays, writes, loves to travel and is an aspiring voice actress. I don’t really tie myself down to one style or discipline, it gets boring after a while. Who knows what other hyphens I might add in the future!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Gosh, I love food. I would immediately show them to all my favorite places like a restaurant I just recently discovered here in Vegas called Jin Jin where they have the most delicious black bean noodles bathed in cheese. Or the classic Shanghai Plaza where there is just a plethora of different foodie options like Cruncheese Korean Corn Dogs or conveyer belt sushi or some good ‘ol pho soup. I try to stay away from the strip unless there’s a cool concert or exhibit in town and I try to instead steer them towards Fremont Street and the Arts District. I would definitely recommend they watch a show at my favorite local theatre Majestic Repertory Theatre (which by the way, I’ll be playing Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone from April 18th to May 19th! So excited!) and eat at all the amazing places there like Casa Don Juan or Soulbelly BBQ. There’s also nothing like bar hopping at Fremont, there’s such a eclectic collection of bars that you never get bored! I think I’m a bit spoiled living in Vegas with all the entertainment and food options, I especially realize that after a long contract away from home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I ultimately want to dedicate this to my parents. Without their influence, undying support and love I would not be able to get to where I am today. The hours of driving me to rehearsals, paying for my singing lessons and for my college training, picking me up when the ‘ol imposter syndrome gets the better of me. Physically birthing me, of course haha. I literally would not be here today. No words can describe how truly thankful I am for them. I also want to thank Majestic Repertory Theatre for basically raising me in the theatre world as well as everyone in the Vegas music scene. And of course, a shoutout to my supportive and wonderful partner, Jesús Marcos Parada Piña.

Website: https://linktr.ee/jencattv

Instagram: instagram.com/jencattv

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenelle-catherina-056253a7/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jencattv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jencattv/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDA5DQ_gRSNpYQJFygYK_Q

Image Credits
Chase Gutierrez, Gene Magbutay, Jesus Marcos Parada Pina

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