Comes From Upbringing Podcast With Brad Gilmore

Jake was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia to two professional musicians. His father, Robert, a French Hornist in the Opera House Symphony at the Kennedy Center, and his mother, Donna, an elementary school band teacher. Growing up in such an artistic family had a profound effect on Jake from an early age, and has propelled him to his career in the arts today.Jake has a degree in music from James Madison University, where he first found himself on stage. His earlier childhood was filled with sports (Jake played football, basketball, and soccer) and band (Jake was the first chair trumpet in the symphonic wind ensemble as well as an avid piano player), but theater was never something on his radar. That is, until he switched his major from trumpet to voice, in order to pursue a degree in music production. In doing so, he was required to take voice lessons, be in the choir, and perform in JMU's operas and musicals. This is where Jake finally found his footing. Within a year he was playing lead roles in the mu