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Jen and Stephen Schwartz

Congratulations to John Powell and Stephen Schwartz for their Oscar nomination for Best Original Score for Wicked. Jen is photographed with Stephen at the Society of Composers and Lyricists Oscar Reception at 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. A nomination is a win!

Praise for A Christmas Rabbit Hole

Michael Kerker, the Vice President of Musical Theatre & Cabaret at ASCAP, wrote:

"What a treat to hear these original songs . . . good to know that there are new Christmas songs being created. I believe this is the first song I've ever heard devoted to a Gingerbread Man . . . good idea! Happy Holidays."

Praise for Shelter

Composer Stephen Schwartz wrote of Shelter:

"Congratulations, Jen, on this new collection of songs, and thanks for sharing with me. I listened to 'She Won't Sit Among the Shadows' and thought it was touching and lovely (I just arbitrarily picked that one to start with because I was intrigued by the title)."

And Michael Kerker, the Vice President of Musical Theatre & Cabaret at ASCAP, wrote:

"I enjoyed your listening to your newest songs . . . especially liked 'Making Up for Lost Time' . . . nice pop sound and good lyric. You clearly have accumulated a hefty catalogue of songs over these years!

"Nice collection of new songs . . . 'Tuesday Evening Blues' is so enjoyable...nifty melody!"

Bold Journey interview #3 (September 2024)

Jen spoke with Bold Journey again in September 2024. This time, she talked about the demands of her high-school swimming team and how she applies that rigorous discipline to her song and story writing. She also provided details about her soon-to-be-available album, Shelter, as well as a new collection of songs about roses and a Christmas release.

Bold Journey interview #2 (December 2023)

Bold Journey followed up with Jen after the interview in May. Jen talked more about the inspirations and events from childhood that contributed to her love of music and her resilience. She also discussed the influence of travel and some of her strategies for staying positive.

Interview with CanvasRebel

In an interview with CanvasRebel, Jen discussed her current projects, including a batch of Christmas songs and a musical about Milton S. Hershey inspired by her upbringing in the eponymous locale in Pennsylvania. She also talked about finding creativity and working through challenging times.

Bold Journey interview #1 (May 2023)

Bold Journey magazine interviewed Jen about her songwriting process, the competitive music business, and her podcast. Jen also talked about the variety of people who have inspired her to create.

Pen Jen's Inkwell Podcast

New episodes of Pen Jen's Inkwell Podcast coming soon!

Interview with ShoutoutLA

In an interview with ShoutoutLA, Jen shared the inspiration behind her creative career, her breadth of musical and spoken-word projects, and some of her favorite things to do in and around Los Angeles.

Post-surgery interview with Dr. Joel Aronowitz

Having completed her breast-reconstruction surgery, Jen shared her inspiring story with Dr. Joel Aronowitz.

Interview with Jen at Voyage LA magazine

On May 27, 2021, Voyage LA magazine published an interview with Jen, in which she recalled the early inspirations that led her to become a writer of songs and stories.

Jen with Dr. Joel Aronowitz for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Here's Jen in her great post-op doctor gown with genius surgeon Dr. Joel Aronowitz talking about October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Podcast launch

Make sure to check out Pen Jen's Inkwell Podcast, Jen's new podcast on all the latest platforms, including Apple Podcasts. Hear her tell about the inspiration for her stories, including her childhood, family, college years, love of music and literature, career as a musician and journalist, and more!

Jen shares her DCIS story with Dr. Joel Aronowitz

From 2017 to 2020, Jen underwent fat-grafting breast reconstruction surgeries following her diagnosis with DCIS, an early form of breast cancer. She emphasized the importance of early detection in the story she told her surgeon, Dr. Joel Aronowitz, who has been one of the most reputable plastic and reconstructive surgeons of Beverly Hills for the past 30 years.

Jen is available for public speeches on breast cancer awareness and prevention. Contact her to discuss her availability: PenJenSongs@gmail.com

2017 ASCAP Joe Raposo Children's Music Award Nomination

Jen was honored to be nominated for the 2017 ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children's Music Award for the second year in a row with her song "The Swan" on Whimsy for Two.

Congratulations to Kyler England and Lalo Crane for winning with their song "We Can All Share."

Praise from Wouter Kellerman, award-winning South African musician and producer

Thank you so much to Wouter Kellerman, Grammy Award-winning South African flautist, producer, and composer who has won several South African Music Awards, for his gracious reviews of Jen's releases Winter Wonderland and Purity:

Winter Wonderland: A Christmas treat

A rare, original collection of story-telling masterpieces narrated over sweet classic tunes that are instantly recognisable, relatable, and likeable. Crisply produced and perfectly vocalized, the warmth and fun portrayed by the artist is sure to pique the interests of adults and children alike. I enjoyed Lewis the Christmas Bear (an expert narration over the tune of "Jingle Bells") and the interesting A Christmas Hat. A must-have for any family during the festive period!

Purity: Pure treat for the ears

Thoroughly enjoyed every bit of "Never Mind Me," which is exceptionally tuneful and beautiful. The clear ring of piano tones support the heartfelt lyrics in "Speak of the Devil." Disarming in its simplicity, "Witness Me" invites you in with its warmth and poise. My favourite here is "My Love is Obvious," which is delicately layered with a sublime vocal arrangement.

Jen with Marvin Hamlisch, Taye Diggs, Sara Louise Lazarus, and Judy Stakee

One singular sensation: Marvin Hamlisch and Jen looking at her script for the Magic Music Box musical!	Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient Taye Diggs and Jen at the 2012 Syracuse University Alumni Club of Southern California's Luncheon. She was so excited to sing the alma mater after Taye Diggs gave his awards speech!
NYC Broadway performance coach Sara Louise Lazarus and Jen! Jen participated in her North Hollywood workshops, sponsored by ASCAP and the Festival of New American Musicals.	Music executive Judy Stakee and Jen. Jen completed her Writers Group Workshop I, II, & III, One Day Intensive, and Song Parlors.

Pamela Jaye Smith Endorsement

Mythologist, author, international speaker-consultant, and award-winning writer-producer-director Pamela Jaye Smith writes: "Jen Waters is a very talented and prolific writer of children's stories and all sorts of songs. She has insight into a child's view of the world and their dreams of wonder. Even as a grown-up, I'd like to see all these stories come to life on screen and stage. For a fresh, creative sense of wonder, enter the worlds she creates in her charming children's stories. Whether on the page, screen, or stage, her characters dare to dream, to be different, and to choose love and friendship. She writes with wit and wisdom about children and magical creatures. Her talent for capturing their hopes and fears, trials and dreams makes for engaging stories on the page, as well as in Jen's charming music."

 
2016 ASCAP Joe Raposo Children's Music Award Nomination

Jen was so glad to be nominated by Michael Kerker, the Vice President of Musical Theatre at ASCAP, for the 2016 ASCAP Joe Raposo Children's Music Award given by the ASCAP Foundation. Congratulations to winner Dan Bern! Joe Raposo is a famous songwriter known for songs that he wrote for Sesame Street and various talents as Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Dr. Seuss.

Performances at The Red Door and Hallenbeck's

Jen performed at The Red Door in Los Angeles on Monday, August 31, 2015, and at Hallenbeck's General Store and Cafe in North Hollywood on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. Peter Romano accompanied Jen on guitar at both events.

You can watch the performances on YouTube.

From The Red Door:
Yellow Roses (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Allow Me (by Jen Waters)
June Bug (by Jen Waters)

From Hallenbeck's:
Borrowed Faith (by Jen Waters)
Honey Bee (by Jen Waters)

Performances at Room 5 and the Complete Actors Place

Jen performed at Room 5 in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Peter Romano played the guitar for the set. Dan Davis of Mullatic Music, pictured with Jen, booked her for the evening.

You can watch the performances on YouTube:

Yellow Roses (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Finders Keepers (by Sunny Lu, Jen Waters, and Femke Weidema)
Never Mind Me (by Jen Waters)
Believe You Me (by Jen Waters)
Smile Baby Smile (by Jen Waters and Gene Miller)
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name (by Jen Waters)
I See You (by Jen Waters)
Free, Free Butterfly (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Saturday's Baby (by Jen Waters)
Kisses That Tell (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Running Out of Time (by Jen Waters)
Little Bit of Faith (by Jen Waters)
  

She also sang on Monday, June 4, 2012, at the Complete Actors Place in Sherman Oaks, CA:

Yellow Roses (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Believe You Me (by Jen Waters)
Finders Keepers (by Sunny Lu, Jen Waters, and Femke Weidema)

Performances of songs at LuLu's Beehive and Hallenbeck's

Jen performed new songs written during music executive Judy Stakee's Intermediate Songwriting Workshop at LuLu's Beehive in Study City on Friday, March 30, 2012. You can watch these performances on YouTube:

Finders Keepers (by Sunny Lu, Jen Waters, and Femke Weidema)
Never Mind Me (by Jen Waters)
Believe You Me (by Jen Waters)
Speak of the Devil (by Jen Waters)

She also sang on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Hallenbeck's General Store & Cafe in North Hollywood:

Little Bit of Faith (by Jen Waters)
Never Mind Me (by Jen Waters)
  

Performance of songs from The Whirlwind Chronicles: The Story of The Magic Music Box at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed songs from her middle-grade novel/musical The Magic Music Box at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 26, 2011. Altogether, she wrote 43 lyrics for The Magic Music Box, which carries on the legacy of Madeleine L'Engle's novel A Wrinkle in Time. Jen has been working on the sequels in The Whirlwind Chronicles novel/musical series, including The Horse Gate, Dreams or Dust, and The Harp of Iris. You can watch the songs from the Genghis Cohen performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters for The Magic Music Box).

Have You Ever Had a Dream?
The Queen of Darkness
I Want to Write a Fairytale
Would You Like to Dance?
All Things New
Duty
Dream A Dream With Me
Amethyst Dreams
I Wish You Well
Snow in the Summer

Performance at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on April 14, 2011. You can watch the songs from the set on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Yellow Roses (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Smile Baby Smile (by Jen Waters and Gene Miller)
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
Afternoon in Paris
Hey Beautiful
Kisses That Tell (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Whisper
Saturday's Baby

Performance at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on February 17, 2011. You can watch a few of the songs from the set on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Shelter
Me & You
Running Out of Time
Little Bit of Faith

Performance at Hallenbeck's General Store and Cafe

Jen Waters performed at Hallenbeck's General Store and Cafe in North Hollywood on December 10, 2010. She is pictured here with guitarist Don Cruz.

You can watch the performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

A Little Bit of Faith
Smile Baby Smile (written by Gene Miller and Jen Waters)
The Eight Ball
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
The In-Between
Bridge of Sighs
I See You
One Night in December (written by Jill Krachmer and Jen Waters)
Nowhere to Go But Up
Vanishing Point
Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Safe Love
Running Out of Time
Free, Free Butterfly (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
  

Performance at Hotel Cafe

Jen Waters performed at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on March 2, 2010. She is pictured here with guitarist Peter Fox.

You can watch the performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Afternoon in Paris
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
Saturday's Baby
Vanishing Point
The In-Between
I Said It First
Free Butterfly (written by Jen Waters & Bob Farrell)
Souvenirs
Me & You
Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters & Bob Farrell)
All of My Life

ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop

Jen recently attended the ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in February 2010 at the Disney Feature Animation Studio Lot in Burbank, California. Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz is the leader of the event. She observed with the intentions of adapting her musical feature-film screenplays/book series, The Whirlwind Chronicles, into stage musicals.

"Where There Are Dreams" Awarded Honorable Mention in the 2009 USA Songwriting Competition

In December 2009, "Where There Are Dreams" received an honorable mention in the 2009 USA Songwriting Competition. The USA Songwriting Competition is one of the world's leading international songwriting events. The contest honors songwriters, composers, bands, and recording artists.

The 2009 Durango Songwriters Expo in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jim Attebery, founder and president of the Durango Songwriters Expo, invited Jen to sing at the October event. Jen performed three songs, including "Yellow Roses" (watch on YouTube).

The Whirlwind Chronicles Completed

Jen recently finished writing the first three novels in her middle-grade fantasy book series, titled The Whirlwind Chronicles. The first novel in the series is called The Magic Music Box, followed by The Horse Gate and Dreams or Dust. The target audience of the books is 8- to 10-year-old girls. Adults can also appreciate the inspiring themes in the series. Each of the novels has music interwoven into its plot. She is currently looking for a publisher. She has adapted the novels into musical feature-film screenplays with original songs. She hopes they will be stage musicals one day.

"Where There Are Dreams" Awarded Honorable Mention in Billboard World Song Contest

In July 2009, "Where There Are Dreams" received honorable mention in the 16th annual Billboard World Song Contest. This is an impressive feat! According to the contest director, with thousands of entries coming in each year exemplifying top-notch-quality songs, there seems to be a trend promoting an ever-increasing level of songwriting.

Commentary Video From the John Lennon Songwriting Contest

A video has been posted with commentary from winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Watch Jen talk about her song (follow the link and click on the image that says "The John Lennon Songwriting Contest").

"Yellow Roses" Awarded Honorable Mention in "Unisong" Contest

In October 2007, "Yellow Roses" was awarded an honorable mention in the 11th annual (2006-2007) "Unisong" International Song Contest. Songs were submitted from more than 90 countries around the world.

"Yellow Roses" at 2007 ASCAP EXPO

In April 2007, "Yellow Roses" was chosen for the country song listening panel at the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO in Los Angeles, Calif. Ralph Murphy, vice president for ASCAP Nashville, moderated the session.

ASCAP Writer's Showcase On May 1, 2006, Jen performed "Yellow Roses" at the ASCAP Writer's Showcase at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Her song was one of 12 winning songs submitted by songwriters from the Mid-Atlantic region. The showcase followed a one-hour interview, where Michael Kerker, vice president for musical theatre at ASCAP, spoke with Stephen Schwartz, the host for the event. Mr. Schwartz is best known for composing the Broadway shows Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked. He also won Academy Awards for his musical contributions to the movies Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt.

Jen at the Iota

In 2006, Jen regularly performed at the Wednesday-night open mike at the Iota Club and Café in Arlington, Va.

Graduation From Syracuse University

In 1999, Jen graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University as one of the fourteen Newhouse Scholars and one of the three Henry J. Wolff Prize Winners.