Kristi Jacobsen
Customer Service Manager at Alfred Publishing / Founder at Broken Glass Media
Cultural Artists Spotlight: September 18 – October 1, 2019
Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I’m the Customer Service Manager at Alfred Publishing, a sheet music publisher with a focus on educational materials and just last year I founded Broken Glass Media, a company providing virtual assistance to busy music industry professionals. I’m also the host of The Broken Glass Podcast. This podcast highlights women in the music industry and provides tools and resources for them to grow their careers and become successful industry professionals.
How did you first become interested in art?
Music has always been a part of my life, even as a young child. I remember my grandparents had an upright piano, and even though I had no idea how to play it, I loved to just hit the keys and see what sounds came out. My younger sister and I loved to take our boombox to the basement to sing and dance along with our favorite music, and as I grew older and able to purchase my own CDs, I listened to it whenever I wasn’t in school or doing other activities.
I learned to play the clarinet in middle school, and had two incredibly supportive music teachers in high school who fostered a love of music and performing in ensembles. Their passion for music and their encouragement inspired me to pursue a music business degree in college, combining a field of study I was interested in learning (business) with a passion (music).
How can art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can become engaged with art in Burbank?
Music surrounds us in our daily lives and without it, our world would be silent. It provokes feelings, emotions, and connections. It helps us to concentrate and get our work done, to understand the emotion in movie and television scenes, and to forget about our worries for a few moments or hours. I’ve made some incredible friends and joined groups because of music – from coworkers at the publishing company, to online and local music communities, and even to connect with strangers at concerts. Each day I learn of new, and often free, events in the Burbank and greater San Fernando Valley communities, and we need to take advantage of these opportunities to enrich our lives, create connections, and bring positivity into the community and the world. Attend concerts, visit art galleries, and support local artists so we can continue to grow these communities.
If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
Music is all too often considered a commodity, especially with the introduction of streaming services and other digital service providers. We need to take time to appreciate it for what it is – art.
To find out more about Kristi’s work, visit https://www.brokenglassmediallc.com/