Page 7 - BOL Dec 21 Edition

Jessica Stokes returns home to essica Stokes returns home to
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Mango Hill Village!ango Hill Village!
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After a decade on the world stage, acclaimed dancer, singer
and songwriter, Jessica Stokes has returned to her home village
in Mango Hill, seeking to pass on her skills and encourage the
development of the Performing Arts in local kids.

As a young girl growing up in the Mango Hill Village in the 1990s,
Jessica Stokes loved hanging out with school friends, running
and riding their bikes through the adjacent bushland (now North
Lakes) and practicing her singing and dance skills downstairs in
the family home after local dance classes.

From the age of 15, Jessica knew her career was in dance and
singing. She also knew that Sydney was the place to find that
career.
Along the way Jessica met a young DJ and Music Producer, Tenzin
With support from Mum (Helen) and Dad (Peter), Jessica made the with whom they have a young son (Dynamite). In 2019, on the
decisive move to Sydney at age 17 and enrolled in a Performing passing of her Dad, the family moved back to Mango Hill to be with
Arts Course at the renowned Brent St Musical Theatre (Fox her Mum and now enjoy the quiet life style of her childhood years.
Studios). This opened up amazing opportunities for the young “Young Dynamite is loving the Village environment and also the
Queenslander.
Progress Association’s Skate nights in the company of “Grandma
Bronwyn” (our wonderful neighbour), Jessica commented.
When only 18, Jess met up with Jessica Mauboy and Rickilee
Coulter and a year later gained a scholarship to travel to Los Professionally, Jessica is the founder of Soul Collective Music,
Angeles having won a national competition of Project Moda, the “ which offers live pop, soul and funk performers for live events
Passion for Dance”. This included a one month scholarship with all and she is a mentor to other singers at Vocal Development, and
expenses paid at the Edge Performing Arts Centre in Hollywood.
Evolution Pre-Professional. https://www.jessicastokes.com.au/
soul-collective
In those early years, Jessica performed at the MGM Grand Casino
in Macao and Hong Kong, was a support dancer with the American
performer “Pink” at the Aria Awards 2008 and with Michael Boyde,
a leading Australian choreographer

In 2012 Jessica performed in the TV series, So You Think You Can
Dance, gaining a Top 6 finalist spot, which lead to work with
award winning director Baz Luhrmann as a motion cap artist on
Happy Feet 2.

Her love of singing led Jessica to a move to London in 2011,
enrolling in a two year full time singing course at the London
Musical School and performed with Dame Edna Everage on.

Over the next 5 years, Jessica toured the nation as a backup singer
for Australia’s golden girl Jessica Mauboy, following past tours
with PINK, The Veronicas, Havana Brown, Kylie Minogue, Rikki Lee,
The Potbellez and more.
Jessica also embraced the TV circuit, performing live on the ARIA’s, On reflection:
The Logies, Australian Idol, The Voice, X Factor, Nickelodeon Teen
Choice Awards and others and in August 2021 performed on the “My Mum and Dad (who gave much to the Progress Association
Voice reaching the “battle rounds”. It was an incredible experience. as your Honorary Auditor”) gave me the opportuity to pursue my
goals as a singer and dancer. They supported and encouraged
me all the way and it was a wonderful occasion when they
joined me as I performed with Jessca Mauboy in Sydney on one
occasion. It was huge for them!

Being back home in Mango Hill is terrific. I enjoy coaching young
kids and wish to give back to the community by inspiring young
singers to come through and follow their dreams”

Jessica
December 2021 - January 2022 www.bestoflocal.com.au 7