Jessica DeShong
Actor.Musician. Creative Encourager.
Instagram (Personal): @joyfilledjessica
Instagram (Miss Jessica’s World): @missjessicasworld
YouTube: youtube.com/missjessicasworld
Website: jessicadeshong.com
Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a deep love for music, the arts and learning about the people around me. Because of this, I have grown into a person who both enjoys learning new things and who desires to add value to people’s lives.
Having graduated Ithaca College with a B.A. in viola performance and a double minor in dance and Italian, I left college with a lovely set of artistic tools. However, I couldn’t figure out how to use those tools to build a fulfilling career. I spent most of my twenties often discouraged by a lack of direction.
Fast forward to May of 2020, the beginning of quarantine in the United States. My mom, who is a first-grade teacher, asked me if I would write a catchy handwashing song for her class. I got to work and wrote “The Hand-washing Song.” I created a music video to go along with it. Her class loved it, so she shared it with her school. They also loved it. So, I thought, “Why not share it with the world?”
On July 21, 2020, I created an educational YouTube channel for children called “Miss Jessica’s World.” I was stepping outside my comfort zone and creating something from scratch that would potentially be seen by many people. As an artist, sharing my art with the world is a vulnerable act. However, my desire to positively influence children outweighs any fear or hesitation.
Once I set up the channel, I began writing children’s music and making music videos. I created “Book Nook” videos where I’d read books written by self-published authors. Then I began inviting guests from around the world onto my channel to share everything from their passions of music and dance to their love of their culture and language.
Ultimately, I want to help kids understand their self-worth and potential, and to help them see the world around them with curiosity instead of fear. It’s working. Schools all around the globe, from Dubai to South Africa to Utah watch my videos. Teachers and parents send me video clips of their kids singing my songs or repeating a new language they learned from a guest I featured.
Creating this channel has helped me discover the meaning of “do what you are.” I’m able to use all of me when creating content for my young audience. Because I’m a one-person team, I spend hours upon hours creating these. I write the music, book the guests, and film and edit every one of my now nearly 100 episodes. With my subscribers on the rise, I know I’m making a positive impact on the world around me and that’s worth stepping out of my comfort zone time and time again.
