18 JUNE 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
Teen Uses Her Talent to Bring Cheer
BY SHANNA O’MARA
NEIGHBOR
— to —
NEIGHBOR
A-
lessly combines a hectic college schedule with bringing smiles to
the faces of kids. Meet Holmdel’s Jordan Lee Gilbert.
Gilbert is a 19-year-old student at Manhattan School of Music where
she studies vocal performance in the Ashley Putnam studio. She’s a 2019
graduate of Holmdel High School and a talented musician who has found
a unique creative outlet: she dons a ball gown and crown to video chat
with kids.
“I have been dressing up as a princess for parties and charity events
since I was 16,” Gilbert said. “When it became obvious that this pandemic
was going to result in all of us being homebound, I wanted do something
to bring some joy to the community. My mom is a critical care doctor
helping on the frontlines, and I wanted to do my part to help people get
children. Music and fairytales have always been an escape for me, and I
thought I could share my characters with the children.”
Through her work, Gilbert has volunteered with organizations such
as Relay for Life and worked with special needs children. Now, she has
taken her talent to the screen and answered the call of many parents trying
to entertain their kids during an undoubtedly confusing and stressful
time for them.
“Some of the calls are surprises and I love their expressions,” Gilbert
said. “This one little boy ran up and hugged the phone, and it melted my
heart.”
Another child answered the call of her favorite Snow Queen only to
tell her she was disappointed in her actions in a children’s movie.
“She wanted me to know that ‘It is not very nice to freeze people’
and that she thought I should take a vacation to Miami to relax,” Gilbert
laughed. “I was speechless!”
For 7-year-old Chloe, of Middletown, seeing her mom’s phone light
up with the name of her favorite princess was a surreal moment.
“I was shocked that Cinderella called me,” Chloe said. “It made me
nervous and happy because she’s a princess!”
Gilbert, who has been performing since the age of 6 and is now
pursuing opera, said the calls are a welcomed break to her busy school
schedule.
Chloe, of Middletown, received the surprise of a lifetime on her 7th birthday when her
favorite princess called to sing to her and her sister, Savannah.
“Obviously, the quarantine and lockdown are not ideal for any kind
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forming arts remotely,” she said. “Our curriculum is still very demanding.
We have to do essays, assignments and homework, but we are also
expected to practice vocal and performance technique and learn tons of
new music.”
schedule of princess calls to my workload has been a challenge. I didn’t
expect to get so many requests. Some are even international! I’m so
grateful, and it has been an escape for me too, adding calls in between
classes. I’ve done a class or two in a ballgown.”
But when she’s not clad in a ball gown, Gilbert loves being outdoors
– hiking, rock climbing and scuba diving. She also loves performing for
crowds, including at her church where she said she sings most weeks.
“My career path is open-ended,” she said. “There are so many possibilities
when it comes to performing. I know I’ll be happy as long as I’m
sharing music and making people smile.”
To learn more about Gilbert’s music and princess work, visit her Facebook
page @JordanLeeMusic. To contact her, email
jordanleemusic@yahoo.com.
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