Heather Youmans

Heather Youmans
Heather Youmans sings at 2011 Relay For Life in San Diego, California
Background information
Birth name Heather Anne Youmans
Born May 16, 1992
Vista, California
Genres Classic Rock, blues, jazz, pop
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, entertainer, journalist
Years active 2002–present
Labels
  • Caption Records
  • Weir Brothers Entertainment
  • Suspicious Love Productions
Website www.heatheryoumansmusic.com
Notable instruments
  • Vocals 2nd Alto-1st Soprano (D3 - G6)
  • bass guitar, piano

Heather Youmans is a singer-songwriter, stage performer and journalist currently based in the Los Angeles area. Youmans' work is featured on soundtracks for feature films Moondance Alexander (2007), Flicka 2 (2010) and Marley & Me: The Puppy Years (2011).[1] Youmans' single, "Girl to Change Your World", was a (2011) hit on Radio Disney,[1] and it is one of the two Youmans songs included in the film Love by Design (2014) starring Giulia Nahmany, David Oaks and Jane Seymour.[2] As a journalist, Youmans began writing professionally in 2011. She has contributed to the Los Angeles Times [3] and has been writing for the Orange County Register's entertainment section since May 2013.[4]

Early life

Youmans began landing theatre roles at age ten, such as Amarylis in The Music Man, Marta in The Sound of Music in 2003,[5] as well as Nellie in Annie Get Your Gun in 2004 at the Welk Resort Theatre.[6][7] In 2004, she won first place in the Del Mar TV Idol Contest, Junior Division, at age twelve.[8] On November 30, 2005, Youmans performed an opening solo at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Headlining acts for the evening included, Sting, Chris Botti and Natalie Cole.[9]

Youmans attended Rancho Buena Vista High School and was active in the Associated Student Body, dance and drama programs. In 2009, she won the MACY Award for Highest Achievement and Best Supporting Vocal-Female for her role as Rusty in Footloose,[10] and Best Vocal Female in 2010 for her role as Jo in Little Women.[11]

Education

Youmans holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication with a music minor (classical and jazz vocal at Bob Cole Conservatory of Music). She graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2013, and is currently (August 2014) pursuing her MBA at CSULB with an emphasis in marketing. During her undergraduate studies, Youmans created and hosted Heartbreakers: The Women of Rock, a radio format program on KBeach.org (2011-2013).

Career

In 2005, Youmans earned a voice-over part, playing Becky Thatcher in Disney's Tom Sawyer's Island and the following year, won the part of Shana the Rock Star in a pre-production musical Teen Witch the Musical (2007).[12][12][13] These accomplishments led to featured artist performances on the soundtrack for Moondance Alexander (2007)[14] and a Radio Disney featured single release, "Girl To Change Your World" (2011).[15][16] She started playing the bass guitar at age 13 and uses the piano to compose and transcribe music.

The Teen Witch the Musical project was successful in its primary goal of reproducing the missing soundtrack for the Halloween classic film Teen Witch (1989).[17] The musical stage-play never made it out of workshop and has yet to achieve the secondary goal of becoming a viable Broadway offering.[18] This association with Weir Brothers Productions led to additional soundtrack features in the films Moondance Alexander (2007), Flicka 2 (2010) and Marley & Me: The Puppy Years (2011).[1]

While concurrently studying journalism and music, Youmans auditioned and stacked up credits in Southern California regional theater, wrote for national and regional newspapers on entertainment topics, and has held a long term performing artist relationship with Legoland California.[1] She has produced and hosted an entertainment format radio show,[1] interviewed entertainment industry legends,[3][19][20][21] and ran a marketing campaign for Jon MacLennan's iBook, Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line (2012).[22] She works as a communications professional in Los Angeles.

Theatre and stage

Year Recipient Award Result
2009 as Rusty in Footloose MACY Award Highest Achievement (Shared) [10] style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2009 as Rusty in Footloose MACY Award Best Supporting Vocal-Female[10] style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2009 as Rusty in Footloose JRAY Award Best Supporting Actress (Silver)[23] style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2010 as Jo in Little Women. MACY Award Best Vocal Female [11] style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2010 as Jo in Little Women. MACY Award Highest Achievement (Shared) [11] style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

Venues

Professional performances and theatre roles
Year Title Role Venue Director/Producer
2003 The Music ManAmarylisWelk Resort TheatreLewis Wilkenfeld
2003 Sound of MusicMartaWelk Resort TheatreJoshua Carr
2004 Annie Get Your GunNellieWelk Resort TheatreJon Engstrom
2004 AnnieOrphan SadieLa Mirada Theatre for the Performing ArtsMcCoy Rigby Ent. Glenn Casale
2004Annie Get Your GunJessieSaddleback Civic Light OperaSheryl Donchey
2004 To Kill a MockingbirdScoutWest Coast Ensemble C. Jaffe/R. Israel
2005UNICEF Snowflake BallOpening SoloistRegent Beverly Wilshire-
2005 Tight QuartersLaurenWhitefire TheatreJules Aaron
2005Kodak ChristmasFeatured SoloistKodak Theatre-
2006Teen Witch the MusicalShana the Rock Star workshop Alana Lambros
2008New Music Weekly AwardsFeatured SoloistAvalon Theatre-
200942nd Street Ensemble Moonlight AmphitheatreJon Engstrom
2010 Once Upon A WeddingDaisyBahia Resort-Dinner TheatreLaughing Tree Prod.
2010-12 Journey To The Lost TemplePippinLegoland-CaliforniaShawn Griener
2012American Idol Season 11Contestant USS Midway Museum Fox Network
2012American Idol Season 11Hollywood WeekPasadena Civic AuditoriumFox Network
2013Character Dance PartyLead singerLegoland-CaliforniaShawn Griener

American Idol

In 2012, Youmans performed Carole King's "Some Kind of Wonderful" at the American Idol San Diego competition and won a golden ticket after a unanimous decision from the judges (Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson), which advanced her to the Hollywood Week competition.[1] Youmans was eliminated during Hollywood Week in Season 11. She attributes the elimination to nerves and an ambitious music selection, Heart’s "Crazy on You".[24]

Recorded and broadcast

In addition to performing in nationally televised commercials, Youmans has been involved in several cutting-edge media projects. In 2005, Youmans played the part of Becky Thatcher in Disney's Tom Sawyer's Island, a voice-over project.[1] The performance was delivered via hand-held computers issued to visitors on Disneyland's Tom Sawyer's Island. A pilot project, titled "Available Light", was one of the first to test Sony Blu-ray camera technology. In 2012, she became involved in editing and promotion for Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line an interactive iBook and iPad instructional publication for experienced guitarists.[25]

Soundtracks

Singles

Journalism

Youmans writes about entertainment topics, specifically dance, music, theatre and film. Her Southern California beat includes covering venues, such as the Orange County Fair, the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, the Playboy Jazz Festival, Sunset Jazz at Newport, the Hollywood Bowl and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Her freelance position with Freedom Communications has afforded interviews with: George Lopez,[31] Drew Carey and Brooke Shields,[21] Grammy Award-winning musicians David Sanborn,[31] Jeff Hamilton [32] for the Orange County Register, and her interview with Grammy nominee Brian McKnight was additionally published in the Los Angeles Register.[33][34] Earlier interviews include, Chita Rivera for the Los Angeles Times[3] and interviews with Ann Wilson[19] and Martina McBride[20] for the Los Angeles Times Media Group’s Daily Pilot.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 O'Connor, Caitlin (24 January 2012). "CSULB student gets golden ticket on ‘American Idol’". Daily 49er. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Giulia Nahmany (20 May 2014). "Giulia Nahmany Love by Design Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival". Giulia Nahmany YouTube Channel. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Youmans, Heather (10 November 2011). "Youmans: Chita Rivera to perform hits from a storied career". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Youmans, Heather (29 May 2013). "Newport Jazz Festival goes down smooth". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  5. ↑ Hopper, Rob. "The Sound of Music". San Diego Playbill. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Hopper, Rob (2003). "Annie Get Your Gun". San Diego Playbill. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Krugen, Pam (3 September 2003). "Strong leads, chemistry make Welk's 'Get Your Gun' a winner". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Del Mar TV Idol Contest 2004". Del Mar TV Foundation. 10 October 2004. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014. Heather Youmans (1st place)
  9. ↑ Schnaidt, Joe (4 December 2005). "Lighting The Way To Hope On Rodeo Drive". Canyon News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014. BEVERLY HILLS — Wednesday, November 30 illuminated Rodeo Drive at Wilshire Boulevard for the annual holiday lighting ceremony with celebrities, sponsors and a ray of hope for children facing poverty, health risks and poor education.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "2009 MACY Award Winners". Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "2010 MACY Award Winners". MACY Awards. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Teen Witch The Musical". Weir Brothers Entertainment. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Heather Youmans: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Moondance Alexander Soundtrack". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Heather Youmans - Girl To Change Your World". Caption Records YouTube Channel. 7 February 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Girl to Change Your World: Releases". AllMusic. 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Heather Youmans - "Never Gonna Be the Same Again" Studio City Sound LIVE". Studio City Sound. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  18. ↑ Wood, Jennifer M. "18 Fun Facts About 'Teen Witch'". mental_floss. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Youmans, Heather (2 August 2012). "O.C. Fair gets some Heart". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Youmans, Heather. "Music for most every taste". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Youmans, Heather (17 July 2013). "Brooke Shields takes the helm of 'Chicago'". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Malik, Abhay (8 May 2012). "Alumnus Jon MacLennan's iBook 'Melodic Expressions' advances guitar instruction". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014. Heather Youmans, an “American Idol” contestant and freelance journalist, helped edit the iBook and has expressed excitement over the finished product as well.
  23. ↑ "2009 JRAY Awards". Fulerton Civic Light Opera. 2009. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  24. ↑ O'Connor, Caitlin (12 February 2012). "CSULB student loses shot at ‘Idol’ fame". Daily 49er. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014. Still, she said she’s not ashamed of the footage. “Yeah, it sucks,” she said. “Everybody has a bad day. Yeah, it’s unfortunate that they showed me having a bad day, but what can you do?”
  25. ↑ "Melodic Expressions: The Art of the Line". http://www.heatheryoumansmusic.com/'' (Press release). Jon MacLennan. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  26. ↑ Flicka 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (MP3/CD). Weir Brothers Entertainment. 4 May 2010. ASIN B003JE2EIU.
  27. ↑ Marley & Me The Puppy Years music from and inspired by the motion picture (MP3). Weir Brothers Entertainment. 9 August 2011. ASIN B005JBC14S.
  28. ↑ "Newport Beach Film Festival". IMDb. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015. First-time Filmmaker: Winner
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Weir Brothers Entertainment: Albums". http://www.last.fm/''. Weir Brothers Entertainment. 2011. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014. Girl to Change Your World singles
  30. ↑ MacLennan, Jon (16 July 2013). "In My Arms Jon MacLennan (feat. Heather Youmans)". Jon MacLennan YouTube Channel. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Youmans, Heather (21 August 2013). "Change in tempo for Playboy Jazz Festival". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  32. ↑ Youmans, Heather (9 July 2013). "Sunset Jazz series kicks off in Newport". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  33. ↑ Youmans, Heather (29 May 2014). "Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight noteworthy newcomers at Newport Beach Jazz Festival". Los Angeles Register.
  34. ↑ Youmans, Heather (28 May 2014). "Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight noteworthy newcomers at Newport Beach Jazz Festival". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.

External links