Amazing Asians in the Arts: Jenna Mee Dosch

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Jenna Mee Dosch is a collaborative pianist based in New York. At just 3 years old, she began piano lessons that would later bring her to receive a BA in Piano Performance from Luther College. From there, she completed the Collaborative Piano Masters program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she embraced her love for musical theatre. Her favorite credits include Rock of Ages at McLeod Summer Playhouse, Next to Normal at CU Boulder, and The Last Five Years at ACT of CT -- all leading up to her playing with the North American tour of Broadway’s Frozen! When not performing, Dosch is an active member of MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity) and Maestra (“a nonprofit that provides support, visibility, and community to the women and non-binary people in the musical theatre industry”). A huge self-care advocate, Dosch’s routine includes Korean skincare and meditation to reset her creative mindset. She advises young artists to “say yes, but also learn to say no,” and to ensure they have enough energy to take on a project before agreeing to prevent burnout. Read on to learn more about Jenna Mee Dosch and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

 

 

Name:  Jenna Mee Dosch

 

Heritage:   Korean American adoptee

 

Hometown:   Shell Lake, WI

 

Current City:   New York, NY

 

Current project:   Frozen North American Tour (Key 1)

 

What are some of your favorite credits/projects: 

 

Rock of Ages at McLeod Summer Playhouse,  Next to Normal at CU Boulder, and The Last Five Years at ACT of CT!

 

Any advice for young people getting into the arts? 

 

Say yes, but also learn how to say no! If you have the space to say yes but you are feeling nervous or afraid, say yes! We are all constantly learning and evolving as artists and learning new skills and gaining new experiences makes us better in our work and our lives. On the other hand, If you don’t have the energy or space for something, say no. I think saying no is more difficult, but it’s something I’m practicing as well.

 

How did you get your start?

I started piano lessons at age 3 and received my BA in Piano Performance at Luther College. Luther has a large classical voice program and I started accompanying voice students my first year. I’d always loved musical theatre, but it was pretty “frowned upon” at my undergrad. I am not an academic person at all, but I ended up getting an offer to attend the Collaborative Piano Masters program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. There, I specialized half in opera, half musical theatre and that university gave me the support that musical theatre was an incredibly valid career.

 

What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?

 

Saying no is difficult. I have said yes too much in the past, and have gotten burnt out as a result. 

 

Do you have any organizations or non profits you work with you’d like to highlight?

 

Yes! I am a proud member of both Maestra and MUSE. Maestra is a nonprofit that provides support, visibility, and community to the women and non-binary people in the musical theatre industry. MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity) is an incredible organization that cultivates more racial equity in the musical theatre industry by providing access, internships, mentorships, and support to historically marginalized people of color. I was very fortunate to be an inaugural member of their Piano Experience program, where I received lessons as well as attended workshops and Q and A sessions with an array of Broadway’s MDs/Conductors/Arrangers/Composers.

 

Do you have any mentors?

 

I do! I listed The Last Five Years at ACT of CT as one of my favorite projects because that is where I started working with my dear friend and mentor, Bryan Perri. Bryan’s musicality and attention to detail are remarkable. He is incredibly talented, but is also one of the most kind, empathetic, and special people I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful and lucky that he came into my life.

 

What do you love most about what you do?

 

Absolutely the collaboration. The creative team, scenic design, lights, sound, electrics, props, costumes, musicians, and the cast are all doing what they love and have worked so hard to do, to come together and tell a story. 

Do you have any self care practices you do to stay focused and sane? What was your self care routine before the pandemic and how has that (as well as your views of self care) changed throughout the pandemic?

I have been much more aware of my self care since the pandemic. Pre-Covid, I would work as much as I possibly could and rarely had a day off. I was living in Washington Heights with my wife and our dog during the shutdown, and found myself creatively empty. I honestly shut down for about a month while my mind and body caught up with me. Now, post-shutdown, I’m out touring with Frozen and I really make my self care a priority. I love Korean skincare, and I use a rose quartz roller and do a sheet mask every day. It is very calming. On my day off, I am very selective with what I choose to do, it might be doing absolutely nothing, and I’ve learned that that’s okay. I also use the app Headspace for meditation and help with sleeping!

To find out more about Jenna, please visit her at: 

 

Website: www.jennameedosch.com 

Instagram: @jennamee