Saturday was prom night for most high schools in Temecula -- but not for Jade Bernad. Instead, she was getting the opportunity of a lifetime to chase her dreams.
She was invited to open a concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for bands like The Cab, Artist Vs. Poet, and Hey Monday. Jade, who has been singing since she was in elementary school in choir and school musicals, says that the opportunity was an incredible one.
"I've been a really big fan of The Cab since middle school and I was checking out where their next concert was going to be," she said,"and I saw that it was a benefit concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and so I emailed the organization's event coordinators and then sent them my Youtube. The day after, I got an email shooting me down, saying that there was no room for me. Then, miraculously, a couple days after I got a call saying that they no longer had a DJ and wanted me to open for the bands. I was so excited, there was no way I could turn it down -- even if it meant missing my senior prom."
Jade perdormed some of her many original songs as well as covers of other artists' songs, accompanied on the guitar by her cousin and songwriting partner Nick Bautista, who she says is "hands down one of the best young guitarists around."
When asked about her experience opening for well known bands, Jade said "It was really cool. I hope I can do something like it again. I met so many people: All Time Low, Cassadee Pope from Hey Monday, The Cab, Artist vs. Poet, The Dares, Blackbear and so many aspiring artists like myself and Nick."
The best part, she says, was "getting off stage after performing, then going backstage and all the bands giving you hugs and high fives and people going to you and asking to take pictures and for my Twitter. It was so surreal; I've made great new friends from an experience of a lifetime. Plus, my best friend, Isa, skipped prom to come along and be my number one fan too."
She also said it was amazing that the concert and her music benefit YouthJamz, an organization that helps raise awareness and funds for children suffering from leprosy in India and homeless teens in San Diego.
Jade says her inspiration comes from everything around her, and that she can get song ideas from anything, from sitting in class to driving home.
Not planning on giving up on her dream anytime soon, Jade plans to attend American University in Washington, D.C. this fall to major in both Business and Music to get involved in the music industry in her future. She says she might not be the "performer," but she also wants to work behind the scenes as a producer or songwriter.
You can check out Jade's music along with her cousin Nick on her YouTube channel by clicking here. You can also follow her on Twitter by clicking here to keep posted on her events and performances.
