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17-year-old singer

influenced by Village

School music teacher

Yes, that Liza Minnelli, the famous daughter of the famous mother.

Jennifer, a junior at Middletown High School South, discovered her musical voice during a chorus concert when she was just a fifth-grader.

"It was actually my music teacher at Middletown Village School who told me I had talent," she recalled. "I really owe a lot of my thanks to her."

Since then, Jennifer has appeared in every sort of production ranging from a solo performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to performing at Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands.

Jennifer also enjoys performing for kids. This past Valentine’s Day, she performed for disabled children at the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Toms River.

And in 1998, she was a soloist in a "Kids in Krisis" program, which benefits underprivileged kids in urban areas.

"That’s one of my favorite things to do," said Jennifer. "Performing for an audience like that is wonderful."

Jennifer studied voice and drama at the Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and has also participated in a summer youth performance workshop at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

And most impressively she is planning one-on-one sessions with Liza Minnelli, who has agreed to serve as a mentor to Jennifer.

The relationship started when Jennifer was experiencing problems with her voice and was referred to voice coaches who work with Minnelli.

Jennifer’s voice coaches mentioned her to Minnelli, who expressed an interest in meeting the teen-ager.

"The first meeting with Liza was at her apartment" in Manhattan, said Jennifer. "I sang with her for about an hour. It was amazing."

Jennifer calls Minnelli a wonderful person for "taking the time to help out a young performer."

Jennifer’s voice coach, Linda Carroll, calls her an incredible talent. "Not many people have the instinctive ability to take recommendations and advice and put it to work immediately like Jennifer does," says Carroll. "She has remarkable talent for a 17-year-old."

Jennifer trades the compliments, praising her coaches for helping her improve her skills.

"Since working with my coaches, I have been able to extend my vocal range tremendously," she said.

While she sings pieces that best illustrate her range, she is currently looking for songwriters and would love to sing some original music.

Jennifer has many other talents besides singing, including having a black belt in karate.

"Karate is something I got into when I was younger," she said. "And it’s good because when I am traveling alone, I know I am able to protect myself."

As for the future, she has huge plans.

"In five years, I’d like to be signed to a record label and have my own album out," she said. "Then in about 10 years, I’d like to be known as an international recording artist and win a Grammy."

Jennifer’s parents feel she will have no trouble reaching this goal. "Singing is a passion that Jennifer has in her heart," says her mother Kim. "She lives and breathes music and she is very dedicated and driven."

Given her amazing voice and remarkable maturity, Jennifer may well be on her way to making her dreams a reality.