Janie Thompson
Janie Thompson | |
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| Born | August 20, 1921 |
| Died | June 1, 2013 (aged 91) |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
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Janie Thompson (August 20, 1921 – June 1, 2013) was a performer. She was a professor at
Thompson was born August 20, 1921, to J. Henry Thompson and Lora Harmon.[1] She grew up in Malta, Idaho.[2] She was the oldest of seven children. Thompson's mother was a singer and dancer, until a train accident left her unable to continue dancing. She would think of choreography and have Thompson dance out the steps for her.[1] Her father sang bass.[3] There was one piano in her house growing up, but her family could not afford lessons, so Thompson taught herself to play.[4] She first performed at age 14. She attended Raft River High School and graduated in 1939.[1]
Thompson was accepted to Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1939. She worked as a pianist, playing in dance classes, to put herself through college.[4] and graduated in 1943 with a music degree.[2] She associated with the Army Cadet Marching Band which helped launch her career when she was asked to be their lead female singer.[1]
Career
After graduating, Thompson taught music for some time at Timpanogos Elementary School in
Thompson returned to the U.S. and she went to BYU to establish the Student Program Bureau in 1952 at the request of
She left BYU in 1956, when she went to New York City to be a talent coach at a professional talent studio.[2] In New York, Thompson taught music lessons on Long Island and trained children to sing. She was offered jobs writing musical commercials, but she returned to the university in 1959.[1]
Throughout her time at BYU, Thompson helped direct performances and even organized performances for U.S. servicemen.[2] She was the founder of several performing groups, including Young Ambassadors and Living Legends which tour internationally today. She not only helped produce shows, but she also wrote some shows as well, publishing over 100 musical works.[4] She launched BYU's first international tour in 1960.[4] She officially retired from BYU in 1984;[2] however, she maintained a studio at BYU after retirement.[5] She continued to help with musical productions until her death.[1]
Some of her students were Heather Young, Sally Flynn and Sandi Griffiths from The Lawrence Welk Show, and Joseph Runningfox.[3]
Later life
She was involved with America's Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah, for several years. Although she never married and did not have children of her own, she strove to help each of her students reach their full potential. She continued composing music and helping with productions up until her death.[4] Her students remembered her as a stern taskmaster that was filled with love.[3] She died on June 1, 2013, in Orem, Utah.[6]
References
- ^ ISBN 9781680470185.
- ^ a b c d e f g Finding aid author: Joseph Wiest (2014). "Jane Thompson papers". Prepared for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Provo, Utah. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Malan, Jayne B. (March 1986). "Janie Thompson". Ensign. LDS Church: 32. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Penrod, Emma (June 8, 2013). "BYU legend Janie Thompson launched careers, touched lives as founder of Young Ambassadors, Lamanite Generation". Deseret News. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ Penrod, Emma (June 5, 2013). "Janie Thompson, legendary BYU Young Ambassadors founder, dies at 91". Deseret News. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ "Janie Thompson". Times-News. June 4, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
External links
- Finding aid author: Joseph Wiest (2014). "Jane Thompson papers". Prepared for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Provo, UT. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- Finding aid author: Rose Frank (2007). "Jane Thompson life sketch". Prepared for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Provo, Utah. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- Janie Thompson Obituary in The Daily Herald Archived June 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- Graduation photo in 1943 Banyan at Brigham Young University
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