Affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network
Artist Biography
Jessa Campbell is a dynamic Oregon-based performer and recording artist whose career spans a wide range of musical genres. Her journey began as a lead singer and dancer on Holland America Line cruises, where she captivated audiences around the world. She has since shared the stage with legends, performing as a backing vocalist for Wayne Newton, and headlining festivals with LDW, a Talking Heads tribute band. Additionally, Jessa shines as the embodiment of Stevie Nicks in the acclaimed Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Taken by the Sky, where her powerful voice and stage presence bring the iconic music to life.
Jessa's passion for children's music sparked the creation of Jessa Campbell & the Saplings, a project that blends catchy, danceable songs with valuable ecology lessons. Her debut album, Can You Feel It, garnered widespread praise and earned a Silver Parent's Choice Award. Her follow-up album, Forest Flow, cemented her as a leading figure in the children's music scene, securing airplay on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live and earning the prestigious High Five Album of the Week on Kinderling Kids Radio in Australia. Forest Flow also gained recognition from esteemed songwriting contests like the John Lennon, Great American, and West Coast Songwriters competitions, and was featured at international children's film festivals.
With her music deeply rooted in Pacific Northwest ecology, Jessa inspires young listeners to connect with nature. Songs like "The Waltz of Trillium & Ant" teach children about seed dispersal, while other tracks explore lifecycles, food chains, and environmental stewardship. Jessa’s remarkable ability to weave science and art together creates an educational experience that is both engaging and impactful, captivating young minds while imparting valuable lessons about the natural world.
Jessa's energetic performances bring her music to life in venues ranging from schools and libraries to renowned festivals like Pickathon, NW String Summit, and Treefort Music Fest. Joined by her 5-piece band, her shows are a theatrical, interactive experience where children are invited to sing, dance, and immerse themselves in the stories her songs tell. Her high-energy performances have made her a favorite among families throughout the Pacific Northwest, offering a unique blend of entertainment and education that appeals to kids and parents alike.
As a devoted mother, Jessa is committed to creating music and educational programs that not only entertain but also instill a deep love for nature and environmental awareness in future generations. Her work, both as an artist and educator, continues to make a meaningful impact on families and communities across the region, fostering a sense of wonder and stewardship for the world around us.
Teaching Philosophy
As a teaching artist, I believe in the transformative power of music to foster creativity, connection, and curiosity, particularly within a community setting. Music is inherently communal, bringing people together to create, share, and experience something greater than the sum of its parts. I aim to provide young learners with a sense of belonging and collaboration by exploring music in a group, showing them how each individual contribution enriches the whole. This collective approach nurtures social-emotional learning (SEL) skills like empathy, communication, and cooperation—skills that are vital both inside and outside the classroom.
A key aspect of my teaching involves weaving in ecology and nature-based themes. Music and nature are deeply interconnected, and introducing children to this relationship fosters not only a love for the arts but also an appreciation for the environment. By using ecological concepts such as lifecycles, food chains, and natural phenomena like seed dispersal, children can engage with science in a way that is interactive and meaningful. For example, in one of my lessons, students might create rhythms to represent the stages of a salmon’s lifecycle or explore harmony through the migratory patterns of butterflies. This approach turns abstract ecological ideas into tangible, memorable experiences.
Moreover, by connecting music to ecology, I help children develop environmental stewardship. They begin to see how their actions impact the world around them and how they are part of a larger, living system. Encouraging them to express these ideas musically not only deepens their understanding but also helps them feel empowered to make a difference.
As both an artist and an educator, my goal is to create spaces where students feel inspired to express themselves, connect with their community, and develop a sense of responsibility toward the natural world. By embedding these themes in music, I hope to ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning, creativity, and the environment.
Testimonial
“Each of these gems would add a spark of life to a unit on STEAM or ecology or make a ride in the car something special” - Stephanie Bange, School Library Journal (5 star review)
