Growing up, Jill’s Grandma would take her to quartet conventions, hymn sings, and encouraged Sunday specials with the church. She did a lot of singing for talent shows with her 4-H group and Junior Leaders. In high school, Jill was in choir, as well as marching band, where she played the flute. Getting to travel to places like New York, Florida, etc. started her love for travel, Broadway music, and pushed her toward sharing her talent. Learning the discipline of music, including working as a team and understanding that everyone’s part is important for the song to be complete became a huge part of her love of music.

When in her twenties Jill experienced a very traumatic event and lost sight of what was important. Her Mom and Grandma encouraged her to get back into music and helped her buy a guitar. She needed an extra class in college so she took Guitar 101. Learning the basic chords, she began putting music to emotional writings she had produced. Before she knew it, Jill discovered that she could sing and write music. Not the best at guitar, but that didn’t stop her. She had the basics and that was what she needed.

Jill has since gone on to play music for others in many different settings. From private parties, small-town theaters, Military balls, weddings, funerals, bars, wineries, festivals, churches, for her students, and everything in between. Some places include Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, New York and multiple others. Jill has played and sung with acoustic groups, full bands, theater productions, churches, and has spent quite a bit of time in the studio.

Jill produced an album of original work, called Hard Headed Woman at Farm Fresh Studios, in Bloomington, IN in 2011. She was on Sandy Pickett’s album Guitar Rider and has just finished up in the studio on the amazing collaboration project: SHIFT.

Jill has played in numerous groups, including Frisky Business, JAMMwich, Rhythm & Groove, Jill McIntosh and the Open Throttle Band, and Big Booty Joody. She has been on Knox News Live, TV3 Connersville, and the 96.3 WJAA Bustock Music Festival where she and Sandy opened for the Why Store. She has, also, been on 92.7 Nash Icon WXKU, 1460 WJCP Radio, and sang for the Governor’s Ride for Abate of Indiana. Jill received the 2011 Community Betterment Music Award from the Steven E. Jones foundation and the Park Theater, in Jennings County and the 2014 ARC of Jackson County Award for her involvement with IMPROV and music for people with disabilities. 

Jill strongly believes in the power of music. Jill owned and operated a business called IMPROV: providing music therapy for individuals with disabilities. She has seen the power of music, helping in many difficult scenarios and behavioral/emotional struggles. Music brings a sense of peace and comfort. It distracts the mind and calms the emotions. Music allows individuals an outlet to release stress: by singing, playing instruments, dancing or even just sitting and taking in the words and sounds. Music has allowed students to learn things and retain the information they couldn’t with traditional ways of teaching. Music brings people together and opens doors of opportunity: in many different capacities: depending on the situation. Music is a magical expression: a magical experience: and a true blessing.