Read how clarinetist Jen would wind up on the Ohio Dance Machine

Not too many people have this response when asked about their dream job. “Dream job? I think I have it right now, doing hair,” said Jen, who was in her second year dancing for the Ohio Dance Machine last season. Just like this refreshing response, Jen was part of a refreshing group of dancers that support Major League Lacrosse’s Ohio Machine. The Dance Machine is the only squad of pro dancers in the Columbus, Ohio area, the largest city in Ohio. And their try-outs for next season are coming up right after the New Year! Jen shared with UltimateCheerleaders her many artistic sides, the contrast between Columbus and her hometown, and why orchestras really need to replace sheet music with flat screens.

Jen is originally from the Toledo area, specifically growing up in Oak Arbor, Ohio. Oak Harbor is a small farming town, and Jen reflected, “I like that everyone knew each other. Everyone was nice, everyone was really close.”

But Jen moved to Columbus for college, and she enjoys her new hometown because, “There’s so much to do and so much to see. I met a lot of different people. There are a lot more job opportunities.”

Jen initially came to Columbus to attend Capital University and studied Clarinet Performance. Starting clarinet at age ten, Jen was trained in classical music and then moved into modern.

Now personally, I always get stressed out when I’m watching an orchestra because they still have to turn the sheet music pages as they play. What if they don’t turn the page in time?! What if the page flips back?! Musical chaos I bet! Why can’t they get digital screens? Jen, how important is the sheet music? “Usually by performance time, I just play,” Jen explained. “There was one time my music blew off the stage. I tried to turn it and it just blew off. It’s like, okay, I’m going to keep going, or tried to.” Did anyone notice that it happened? “Not really, no,” answered Jen. Wow, she’s in control.

So, I always wonder, are you really watching the conductor? Seems to me, conductors get way too much credit and no one is really watching them anyway. Back me up on this Jen, are you watching that baton? “Yes,” replied Jen. “We have to watch to get the tempos.” Okay Jen, I’ll take your word for it.

Asked about her favorite clarinet pieces, Jen said, “There’s too many. The first one that came to mind was Mozart’s concerto for clarinet.” Mozart’s Clarinet concerto in A major was written in 1791. It was also one of Mozart’s final completed works, and his final purely instrumental work.

Jen decided to take a different career path after graduating from Capital, and attended Aveda Institute Columbus for cosmetology, and Jen’s current job is hairstylist. Jen’s favorite part of her job includes, “Interacting with people and talking to them all the time. Getting to know them more than just saying, ‘Hi, how are you?’”

Jen, is it hard sometimes to convince people the hair style they should have versus the one that they want? “Yes, I’ll make suggestions and then usually they’ll come around to it after time.” How does Jen keep track of all the new styles? “I take a lot of classes. I also look online and lots of different magazines.”

So, last summer, I asked Jen what was the hot trend was in hair. “I would say varied bowl cuts, very blunt, minor colors,” replied Jen.

So Jen expresses her artistic side as a stylist, musician, and of course, through dance, taking her to the sidelines with the Ohio Dance Machine. “I’ve been dancing since I was six,” Jen explained. “I thought it would be fun. I actually started gymnastics first and then branched out in to every other kind of dance that I could possibly do.”

Jen also continued her gymnastics her senior year in high school. In gymnastics and dance in general, is there a synergy between them? “Definitely yes,” Jen answered, “Dance, helps the movement flow, and gymnastics helps with power dancing.”

Jen learned about the Dance Machine from ODM co-director/co-captain Jenny, also a Toledo area native and graduate of Capitol. Of being part of the MLL dance team, Jen said, “It’s been a lot of fun; very encouraging, kind of a confidence builder. When you go out in the field, people are cheering for you. It’s exciting.” In addition, “I like all the girls on the team. It was fun learning new dances every week.” Jen also loves little kids, so she enjoys the junior dance mini dancers.

In the future, Jen would like to travel, including, “I want to go to Italy. I think that would be really pretty and a lot of fun. And Australia.”

And in January, it will be time to travel for prep classes and auditions for those who aspire to be part of the 2015 Ohio Dance Machine. More information is here at this link.

Thanks Jen so much! Also, thanks Ohio Dance Machine co-directors Megan and Jenny, and the Ohio Machine organization for all of their assistance.

More photos of Jen are at this link.