Spring break is the time of year when most college students escape to somewhere hot and relaxing. That’s exactly what Jaclyn Holtzman, junior in Fine and Applied Arts, did when she opted to go to Los Angeles. But instead of lounging around the pool, she spent most of her time in a music studio, learning the ropes of song recording.

Since singing in front of Grammy Award-winning music producer Bradley Spalter almost a year ago, Holtzman has been on the fast track toward launching a singing career, all while also juggling the act of being a full–time student at the University.

Spalter, who has worked with artists such as Christina Milan and Babyface, said when he heard Holtzman, who goes by the stage name “J Rose,” he wanted to sign her.

Spalter said their familial relationship (the two are cousins) was not a factor when he offered her a record deal. Instead, it was her talent that won him over.

“I had her sing for me and I was just blown away,” Spalter said.

For Holtzman, singing in a studio for the first time required a few changes from what she had been used to. Despite singing and acting in musicals since she was three, Holtzman said she could not apply the same theatrical singing style to making records.

“Your voice has to be more toned down, it’s not as dramatic,” Holtzman said. “You have to put more emotions into the voice, not the face.” To ensure that she got things right, Holtzman said she went home and listened to various records.

Spalter said he was impressed by Holtzman’s quick ability to pick up on the new singing style.

“She came from a theatre background,” Spalter said. “To make that transition, most people can’t do it, it’s very difficult. She immediately picked it up.”

While Holtzman will spend her holidays in the studio, most of the year she still faces tasks that many of her peers go through — maintaining a balance between academics and a social life.

“Sometimes I can’t answer to certain career calls because of midterms and sorority stuff,” Holtzman said. “It worries me that because I am at school, things are progressing more slowly.”

Mary Ruge, junior in Media, former Illini Media employee and a sorority sister of Holtzman’s, said Holtzman has a good work ethic. “She’ll be at the library all night, go off to do a show the next day,” Ruge said. “She has to be responsible. She has a lot on her plate.”

Holtzman said the support of her manager, William Middlebrooks, makes the decision of staying at school a little easier.

“I wanted her to continue her education. That’s part of her appeal,” Middlebrooks said. “She doesn’t have to abandon her roots. You don’t have to. That’s what I want more people to do. You don’t have to become superhuman to be successful in business, including music business.”

For now, Holtzman said she hopes her presence at the University will draw on a bigger local fan base, especially with the upcoming release of her first single, “Beautiful.”

“When you’re on a large campus, people don’t take you seriously when tell them you’ve recorded an album,” Holtzman said. “It’s almost like people need proof that you’ve already made it big.”

Holtzman plans on doing more shows in the community to gain more support.

“It’s a huge compliment to be compared to Taylor (Swift)& Carrie (Underwood), but I want people to hear me on the radio, and be like, ‘Hey! It’s J Rose!'” she said.

She added that while her music paralleled Swift and Underwood’s pop–rock sound, she saw herself more as the “girl next door rocker chick — without the country sound.”

Although she still has more than a year before she is done with school, Holtzman and her talent team is not afraid of the competition.

“She’s what I call a triple threat. She can dance, she can sing, she can act,” Spalter said. “I think she’s going to be superstar. A force to be reckoned with.”