Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho (pronounced /iːˈvæŋkoʊ/ ee-VAIN-ko; born April 9, 2000) is an American classical crossover lyric mezzo-soprano who gained popularity after performing in the fifth season of America's Got Talent, coming in second place.

Evancho sings in the "classical crossover" style of singers such as Hayley Westenra and Sarah Brightman. She studies singing with a voice coach, and also plays the violin and piano.

Early life

Evancho was born to Michael and Lisa Evancho and has an older brother, Jacob, a younger brother, Zachary, and a younger sister, Rachel.[3] She started singing when she was eight-years-old, after she watched the musical The Phantom of the Opera on DVD. Her mother heard Evancho singing songs from the musical and allowed her to enter the 2008 Kean Idol, a local talent contest. She sang "Wishing You Were Here Again", finishing at eight years old as first runner-up,[4] the winner was 20 years old. Eventually she participated in other talent contests and started a YouTube channel. Jackie began taking vocal lessons in June 2008, when she was 8 years old.[5][6] She was also a member of the Children's Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh during its 2008–09 season.[7] Evancho lives in Richland Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[8]


Career

Evancho has performed onstage with producer David Foster,[9] was an invited performer on the PBS Special "Celebrate America" with conductor/composer Tim Janis,[10] also feature video from CreationScapes, sang the US National Anthem at an event honoring aviation pioneer General Chuck Yeager,[11] as well as performing the anthem to start the Pittsburgh Pirates 2010 home opener baseball game at PNC Park.[12] At the invitation of Pennsylvania State Senator Jane Orie, Jackie has also performed.[13] Jackie also performs at numerous events and charity functions in and around her hometown.[14]

She competed in the 15th U.S.A. World Showcase Talent Competition in early 2009, which took place in Las Vegas in which the winner receives $100,000 and the opportunity to create a demo CD.[15] Jackie was invited to perform at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York City, but due to scheduling conflicts with America's Got Talent, had to cancel.[16]

"She is just truly blessed with a voice that's phenomenal", says classical-crossover composer/conductor Tim Janis,[17] who has invited Evancho to perform in his American Christmas Carol show (Dec. 2, 2010) at Carnegie Hall in New York City.[18][19] She will be the youngest female vocal soloist ever to have performed there.[20] Although Jackie describes herself as a Classical-Crossover singer, she currently holds the world record as the youngest Opera singer.