Always the “spit-fire” & “firecracker”, petite Jennifer Coker grew up in Virginia Beach, VA as an only child. Needless to say, entertaining herself was a BIG part of her childhood.  Her (now not so hidden) secret was that she spent the early years of her life heavily involved in baton twirling competitions.   Sometimes clocking in 5-7 hours of practice a day, bruises, and knocking out her front two baby teeth, she finally nailed her first 1-spin.  (where you throw the baton up and turn 1 time and catch) By the age of 9 she was already at the Advanced Level and racking up National titles  (from The National Baton Twirling Association) along the way.

In the 4th Grade, she auditioned for her local theatre’s production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.  Even then she was quite determined: You’ve never seen “My favorite things” performed so seriously.   (I mean, “when the dog bites, or the bee stings”… the drama of it all!) She ended up landing the role of Marta, and from then on the baton got picked up less and less.  She had her eyes set on New York City.

She became a pro-theatre kid at the age of 12, and spent summers traveling with her Dad (& Mom) to whatever city her Dad was working in on business. On these long extended trips, Jenna got acquainted with living life out of a hotel room and frequented karaoke bars until late into the evening.  At 13, she even won the Jacuzzi honeymoon suite in a sing-off karaoke competition at the hotel they happened to be staying in.  

Jenna never does anything “normal” or “with the crowd”.

CLIFF NOTES: graduated High School in 3 years, dropped off in NYC at 18, booked some fabulous gigs, tried a semester of College - not for her; worked her tail off, laid down recordings, big budget national tours, booked a huge series of commercial’s - they never aired (it’s all good!) shot a Law & Order , performed with Whoopi Goldberg, 2 off-broadway shows, regional theatres, became a zombie, traveled ALL OVER the United States, met an incredible man, married him, performed on THE VEIW, sung for The Obama’s and the list goes on….

After all the fun things she has been blessed to do, the greatest impact in Jenna’s life has been her faith in God and the community of people that surround her everyday. In a city that can be isolating and lonely, especially in the cut-throat entertainment industry, she appreciates the unconditional love & support of what has truly become her family here in NYC.   She has come to realize (after much tribulation) that really what is the most important thing in life is not that you book that job or that you attain what the world sees as a “success” (although those things are nice!), but really serving and building into other people’s lives and dreams.  This is what brings the most happiness, joy & calming peace to your own life.  You can find the Jones’s most Sundays at 11am & 6pm at www.c3manhattan.org rocking it out!

Jenna also leads a Women’s Artist Group out of her home every week called “Morning Coffee.”   There, she empowers women in the arts in a positive, trusting environment in an effort to eliminate cattiness and bitter feelings that tend to run rampant in the business.  She encourages a more celebratory environment when things are going well for others and understanding and care when it seems like things are not.

Jenna truly feels that if you are determined, work hard, never stop learning, have joy in all situations, pray, be thankful and gracious, serve & build into others and continue to go to faith, nothing can stop you.

She and actor husband Christopher Kale Jones (www.christopherkalejones.com) split their time between Midtown Manhattan & Studio City, California with their Boston Terriers Fender & Rocket.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think”
Ephesians 3:20