"From my grandparents I always had an avid interest in theater. They took me to everything they could get tickets for. I have vivid memories of my grandfather's phenomenal singing voice, that seemed to send me a message to follow my dreams. But I intended to stay away from theater as a profession," said Amy Jorrisch.
Born in Brooklyn and brought up on Long Island, Amy graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in anthropology and a minor in psychology. She said: "I was fascinated by cultures, civilizations. And I wanted to get a good education." At the same time, she couldn't stay away from theater. She enrolled in a New York acting class, and was cast in a dozen shows, including musical productions and performances for children. She appeared in summer stock, cabaret, dinner theater, films and television. She developed a wide range of character voices, including those of various nationalities. Her soprano and mezzo-soprano roles included musical comedy, cabaret, pop, rock, folk and classical styles. Amongst her special abilities she lists piano, flute, tap dance, ballet and jazz.
For all that, she found life in professional theater as difficult as she had feared. "The jobs were sporadic, over a long period of time. I waited on tables, trying to make it in New York, and got very discouraged," Amy said. "My favorite thing is to sing, and I decided to join a five-piece rock 'n' roll band. That is how I met my husband. We performed together, and decided to form our own group. Nearly five years later we were still on the road, traveling all over the USA, business partners and friends. Then we eloped to Las Vegas, and were married in a theme-type wedding chapel on the Strip. We were a little older, of course, and we wanted to make ours a personal wedding."