Johanna Jacobsen was born in Saratoga Springs, NY...into a musical family. Her parents both played instruments, so it was only natural that Johanna, and her sister, follow in their footsteps. In first grade, Johanna began her training on classical violin. Over the years, she won awards at solo competitions, and worked her way up to first chair in orchestra. By the eighth grade, Johanna became a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra, and got the opportunity to tour with them to Austria and Hungary, where they played for the Hungarian Army. Once in high school, Johanna joined band, playing bassoon, and was chosen to be part of the Choraliers, the elite chorus in her high school.
After high school, Johanna went on to Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, to study Exercise Science and Athletic Training. Although she was in the orchestra her first year, her education in Athletic Training made it unrealistic to be a part of both. She went on to Michigan State University for graduate studies, which lead her to a job at Vanderbilt Sports Medicine in Nashville, TN. Little did she know this was the beginning of a new and exciting "stage" of her life...
During her second year in Nashville, Johanna got a part-time job at a well-known restaurant/bar, called the Broken Spoke. Here is where she was introduced to the songwriting aspect of music. Johanna met everyone - beginning songwriters, hit songwriters, those in the industry, those once involved in the music industry...and everyone in between. By the end of that year, Johanna had decided to make a major career move - she would leave Vandy, go to Massage Therapy school, and begin learning guitar and songwriting. Over the next few years, she slowly progressed her skills - playing guitar, songwriting, and singing. In 2005, Johanna met Tim LaRoche, and soon became part of the band, Shed. This included Tim, Tim Thurber, and Josh Vest. Johanna was the harmony singer, and got her first glimpse at being in a band. Over the next few years, they progressed to showcasing for major labels and opening for Gretchen Wilson and Charlie Daniels.
During her time with Shed, Johanna continued her own songwriting. She came out with her first album in 2008 - "What It's Like To Fly". Johanna was now ready to find her own....And since then, her songwriting, singing, and performing has progressed to where she now has songs being pitched to major-label country artists in Nashville. In 2009, Johanna signed a non-exclusive deal with Shadow Mountain Music, with whom she landed her first song licensed by "Venice-The Series". Her song "Do It Again" was on episode 8 of season 2 of Venice!
She is gaining a name for herself and beginning to find, and create, her own sound. You can find Johanna playing at writer's nights, acoustic and full-band shows, festivals, coffeeshops, and more...
Her sound is influenced by so many different types of music (rock, pop, R&B, country) but mainly, artists, such as Alison Krauss, Sarah McLachlan, Patty Griffin, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Carole King, and Natalie Merchant. have helped shaped Johanna's sound. And it's still being shaped...everyday....
"You only live once, so you might as well have fun while living it!!"
