Lesley Everett of personal branding methodology company Walking Tall hosting Karen Jacobsen during the one-woman show “Mackay to Manhattan – a musical memoir” (Carly Mayberry — Herald Correspondent)
By CARLY MAYBERRY | seablue@earthlink.net |
March 18, 2020 at 5:22 p.m.
While you might recognize her as the voice in over a billion GPS devices and the original Australian voice of iPhone’s Siri, there’s actually a lot more that has navigated the life of Karen Jacobsen than directing drivers on their route.
Jacobsen shared her journey of reaching her dream to be a singer/songwriter in America, as well as the many times she’s had to “re-calibrate” along the way, during “Mackay to Manhattan – a Musical Memoir” on March 8 at the Junipero Serra School.
Jacobsen performed at the grand piano while intermittently sharing stories with the intimate crowd of about 50, which included the event’s host and branding expert Lesley Everett and Staci Alzeibler-Perkins, executive director of Gathering for Women. The event was in recognition of International Women’s Day with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Monterey nonprofit.
The crowd at Junipero Serra Mission School during during the show “Mackay to Manhattan – a musical memoir” (Carly Mayberry — Herald Correspondent)
“I have not been short of big dreams and relationships with disappointment,” said Jacobsen. “… When you have to re- calculate in a major way, special gifts appear.”
Jacobsen was born in the small town of Mackay, Australia but knew from an early age after seeing fellow Aussie Olivia Newton-John perform on television that she wanted to become a professional singer and move to America.
Since moving to New York City years ago, she has not only shared the stage with the likes of Norah Jones, Neil Sedaka and Christopher Cross but also performed the national anthem at major sporting events at Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium, among other venues.
Jacobsen has also gone on to be an international speaker giving directions for life and business, showing how to navigate change with her “Five Directions for Re-Calculating.”
During her Carmel appearance, she garnered plenty of chuckles from the audience with her quip “I’m the only woman men will take directions from.”
She also offered a special piece of advice from her lifetime of taking chances and chasing her dreams.
“That inner GPS – it will not steer you wrong,” said Jacobsen.
