By Xavier Smerdon
FOR one Hoppers Crossing resident, music is an escape, a way to celebrate her heritage and a way to bring people together.
Nineteen-year-old Jessica Lapina started singing and performing at just four years old.
“My brother is an opera singer and he and my sister would sing in front of the piano, so that’s what got me into singing,” Jessica said.
“He was my first music teacher.”
Since then Jessica has built up an impressive resume, performing at school assemblies and fronting a hard rock band.
But when she performs at the Migrant Hub on 19 February, it will be her first solo event.
“I’m nervous and excited,” she said.
Jessica, whose parents were born in the Philippines, is studying Popular Music and Performance at the JMC Academy.
She says that her parents are one of the main reasons she has continued to forge ahead with her dream of a career in the music industry.
“When I was in year 11 or 12, I was thinking of going into marine biology and they actually threatened to cut off my singing lessons,” she said.
“I love my singing lessons, so they knew that would work.”
Jessica’s whole family lives for music.
Her brother is a professional opera singer and her sister is also in the music industry.
It is obvious that this has had a positive effect on Ms Lapina.
“What I love about music is that I can take it with me anywhere I go, it makes me feel good and it’s a different level of communication,” she said.
Jessica will be performing at the Migrant Hub on 19 February.
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