By Joella Clove
Homer Independent Press

Singer songwriter Hallie Jade returned to her hometown of Homer while on tour promoting her newly released album, “Broken Record.” With shows at Bunnell Street Art Center and Grace Ridge Brewing, Hallie filled the air with her vocals and guitar. This was not just another stop on her tour, but a return to her roots where so many local supporters had nurtured her musical talent over the years.

Homer and creativity are intrinsically linked. Perhaps it is the majestic landscape, glacier cooled air or the magical light that provides the fertile ground for musical souls to grow and flourish. But it was really through the belief and generosity of the people of Homer that Hallie found encouragement early on to follow her musical passions.

“This town gave me my first stage, my first audiences, my first mentors and the confidence to believe that my stories were worth telling,” Hallie said. “It taught me that music wasn’t just something I loved, but something I could build a life around. When I was young, every recital, talent show, open stage and performance felt like someone was saying, ‘We believe in you. Keep going.’ That kind of encouragement changes a person.”

Hallie started taking classical piano lessons at age 4 and eventually studied under Carol Comfort-Waldorf, Joel Peitsch and the late Mary Epperson. One day in third grade music class Atz Kilcher placed a guitar in her hands, inspiring her future music path as a singer songwriter.

“I learned every Jewel song I could get my hands on and started writing songs of my own. At first they were about bubble gum and friends being mean,” she said. “By middle school they were about boys, crushes and being absolutely convinced I had life all figured out, as any preteen does.”

Hallie said that as she got older the community invested in her with support from Bunnell Street Arts Center, the Homer Foundation, generous private donors “and countless people who believed in a kid with a guitar.” With that support and a scholarship she was able to attend Idyllwild Arts Academy, an arts boarding school in Southern California “that completely changed my life.”

Hallie continued her musical studies under the tutelage of legendary jazz musician Dr. Marshall Hawkins, whose career included performing alongside artists like jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis. Unfortunately, her musical education hit a roadblock due to financial constraints during her senior year, and it seemed she might not be able to return to finish her musical education. During summer break Dr. Hawkins flew with Hallie back to Homer where they performed a benefit concert at Bunnell Street Arts Center to raise funds for her continued education.

Homer is widely known to support creative talent and to rally around performers and artists in the local community. Hallie was no exception.

“Looking back, I realize that the benefit concert wasn’t just about helping one student get back to school,” she said. “It was another example of Homer rallying around one of its own. That’s something I’ve carried with me everywhere I’ve gone.”

As often is the case with aspiring musicians, life began to push Hallie’s creative career to the back burner. She stepped away from music during the 10 years of raising her three kids. But as they grew they started asking questions, “Why do your songs stay at home? Why aren’t you sharing them with the world anymore?” And Hallie knew instantly that her life was about to change and that she would start pursuing music publicly again.

“I realized I was teaching them something, whether I meant to or not. If one of my children had a dream or a gift that could make other people feel seen, I would want them to pursue it wholeheartedly,” said Hallie. “I knew I had to do the same.”

Writing songs is a constant for Hallie. Her music is an honest reflection point connecting people with the world around them. What started as grade school songs about bubble gum has evolved to songs that reflect complex emotional landscapes of the human experience.

“Songwriting is how I process the world. Songs come from everywhere: conversations, things I overhear in coffee shops, my children, my students, my travels, nature, old memories, heartbreak, joy or simply one sentence that won’t leave me alone,” she said. “If I’m not actively finishing a song, I’m recording voice memos, jotting lyrics into my phone or scribbling ideas into a notebook. Inspiration has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it, so I’ve learned to pay attention.”

For Hallie success in her musical career comes from making a difference in someone’s life through her music. When a person connects to one of her songs with their heart, when the music leads someone home to themselves, this is the gold standard to which Hallie aspires. 

“There have been countless songs that found me exactly when I needed them and reminded me I wasn’t alone. If one of my songs can do that for someone else, even for three minutes, then I feel like I’ve succeeded,” she said.

Hallie said some of her favorite performances have been in small rooms or neighborhood pubs.

“I’ll happily play a festival stage, but what I love most is connection. If people are really listening, that’s enough for me,” she said. “I hope people leave feeling a little lighter, a little more understood, or maybe with the courage to tell their own story. More than anything, I hope people feel seen.”

Since those early days in Alaska, music has taken Hallie beyond what she could have possibly dreamed. From traveling and performing to teaching, her love of songwriting and music has continued to lead the way.

“Every step of this journey has surprised me. Music has introduced me to mentors I never imagined I’d meet, taken me around the world, connected me with incredible students and carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life,” she said.

Throughout her career, Hallie said the generosity of people has surprised her.

“I can see that my career has never really been built by one person. It has been built by a community. Every scholarship, every donor, every teacher who stayed late, every person who bought a ticket to a fundraiser or came to a little hometown concert played a part in getting me to where I am today.”

The story has come full circle in more ways than one. Today Hallie serves as the Director of the Songwriting Program at Idyllwild Arts Academy.

“Every day I get to encourage students to tell the truth, write their stories and believe that their voices matter. None of that would have been possible without the people of Homer who first believed in me,” Hallie said. “Thank you, Homer, for believing in me before I knew what was possible. I’ll always be proud to call this place home.”

Hallie’s debut EP, “Broken Record,” was released earlier this year. It’s a collection of songs about resilience, healing and finding hope after life doesn’t always go the way you planned. The album is a genre blend of folk, Americana and singer songwriter. Available wherever you stream music.

Hallie loves to connect with her fans. If you are just now discovering her music or haven’t connected for a while, you can find her on social media at @halliejademusic. Learn more, find upcoming shows and listen at halliejade.com.