by Henrik Eger

-- Part two

"With a gorgeous four-octave voice, impeccable taste and flair, Jen Creed can do it all...and she pretty much does...She is the real deal..." -- Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News

Erdenheim resident Jen Creed, once a mathematician and recruiter in the investment management industry, is now a cabaret singer (monthly at L'Etage, 624 S. 6th St.) who recently had two sold-out performances at Act II Playhouse in Ambler. Her repertoire ranges from classical to Broadway, from the sacred to standards, plus her own compositions. Following is the rest of the interview conducted with Jen recently:

One of the worst things that could happen to the career of a singer is having vocal surgeries. Tell us more about your surgeries, your recovery and its impact on your career.

I began reading about otolaryngology—the study of the ears, nose and throat. I knew that through my vocal trauma, I could help others experiencing similar setbacks. I just didn’t know how yet. In a few months’ time, I was offered the opportunity to study under one of the world’s premier voice surgeons, Dr. Robert Sataloff. After deepening my learnings through this fellowship, I was appointed Executive Director of The Voice Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to voice care.

You turned a vocal lemon into a high octane lemonade —healing and simultaneously helping others.

I still couldn’t sing like I used to. I couldn’t even speak without a rasp, so I chose to support others who were trying to get me and others like me back on track. As a result, my life slowly began to change. After a few years, my voice returned with luster. The life I know now is wholly a result of the tragedy from which I thought I would never recover.

I check in yearly with my surgeon, Dr. Yolanda Heman-Ackah, who has been like a miracle worker to me. Now, 12 years after those polyps and surgeries, my voice is stronger and more resilient than ever. Sometimes it’s through the suffering that we learn and grow.

I began singing only what moved me, whether it was pop, jazz, sacred, Broadway or light classical. Today, my voice is the strongest it’s ever been, and I am lucky that I don’t have to make sacrifices. I like to sing it all.

Many people give up when something goes wrong. What inspired you to keep going?

I remember after several years working in investment management, I was at the beach on a warm Labor Day. Most people were packed up for the season, summer fun left behind in the sand. I was still in my bathing suit in the dinner hour and told my friend I didn’t want to go to work the next day. She knew she had an opening: “You’re wasting your life in the corner office of a corporate center.”

I was baffled, explaining that I did the music thing already and didn’t like the haphazardness and instability. She fought back, “You can make a living doing what you’re born to do. You just need to be more creative about it. You need to do it YOUR way.”

Returning home from the beach, I thought about it and made a call to Helen Leicht of WXPN, who is truly the driving force behind the resurgence in my music career. She “coerced” me to write songs, record and perform again. It's no coincidence that exactly one year after that Labor Day at the beach, I finished recording my debut album.

What advice do you have for young singers and other artists?

My advice would be: “Shine in your own light, find mentors, ask for help from those you trust, and listen. Those who know you best will shine a mirror into your very soul. The answers are all inside of you. Do it your way.”

What are you doing to challenge yourself and go beyond where you are now as a singer and performer?

Something that has become important to me is listening more, whether it’s live music or a YouTube video or buying — yes, buying — new or old music. If one of my favorite artists is coming into town, it doesn’t matter how much a ticket costs or how inconvenient the timing is. I go and sit as close as possible and soak it in. I have learned from every single one of these artists. I've gotten ideas for new material, new approaches to old material, reminders of vocal technique, style and inspiration in general.

I also plan to write more. Whenever I sing a song that’s one of my own, that’s what people seem to comment on the most. I need to make room in my life for more songwriting. I’m glad I am saying this out loud, because now I am committing to it.

This spring I will turn 40. Two months before my mom’s 40th birthday, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis that ultimately became her death sentence. I feel like I am merely beginning — happy, healthy and very much alive, with so much to look forward to. Life is a gift. Every day. I am grateful and OK with all that comes with the gift of aging. When I can’t run the miles like I used to or have that extra drink without the consequences of a hangover, even then I am grateful because some people don’t get to grow old, surrounded by love and a happy life. I’m blessed.

* This article is reprinted, with permission, from DCMetroTheaterArts. More information at www.jencreed.com.