Singer Jenn Mundia Performs at FSCJ Campuses

Singer-songwriter Jenn Mundia serenaded the students of the North, South, Deerwood, and Kent Campuses from Jan. 9 to Jan. 12 with her awesome vocals and down-to-earth personality. Kelly Warren, coordinator of student activities at Kent Campus, helped organize the event, providing an outlet for students to relax. "Jenn Mundia was an unexpected delight. Her sound is perfect for a rainy day or lounging around the house," said Former FSCJ student Victoria Jansen.

This North Carolina native has always taken a keen interest in her Kenyan background, which inspires her unique sound and has helped her grow and develop as a singer and musician. Though Mundia was born and raised in the United States, both of her parents are from western Kenya, about 400 miles away from the capital city of Nairobi.

"Singing is very much a part of Kenyan culture. My parents and grandparents sang, it runs in my blood," said Mundia. Her love for music started at a young age. Mundia's mother and biggest fan, Alice Mundia, recounted, "She used to sing with her mouth full from her high chair and just sing so I could record her. She always loved to sing." After Mundia's glory days of high chair solos, her interest for music continually grew as she sang wherever she could and actively participated in the church choir. Theatre and opera soon became her passion.

Watching Mundia perform, you would have no idea that she's "not a guitarist by nature." She bought a guitar in her first year of college but didn't play it until three years later' once again proving her pure musical talent.

Mundia went to Berklee College of Music in Boston to study audio engineering, and performing became a side bar. At Berklee, she took two years of singing lessons and currently uses her audio engineering degree to record herself and others.

Mundia soon found her way back to the stage, where she's learned to kick the stage fright and jitters. Mundia said, "Usually I'm not nervous because it makes things worse. But it helps to write a set list of songs because I'm very unorganized."

Before arriving at FSCJ, Mundia worked on a cruise ship for eight months, singing for the guests. She also participated in the "Hair" musical, where her love for singing and theatre collided. In Raleigh, North Carolina, Mundia usually sings at local haunts around her home town. After her next Carnival Cruise tour ends in May, she hopes to focus on college gigs in the fall.

Students gravitated toward Mundia's cover songs, performance style and interaction with the audience. Jenn Mundia is excited to come back to Florida to perform at FSCJ again next fall.