Alumna finds support on the big stage

Jordyn Pollard’s first experience singing to a live audience may have been to a herd of curious cattle or on a field, but for this farm girl from Hillmond, Sask., her career as an up-and-coming recording musician seems to be on the right track.

Pollard is an alumna from Lakeland College’s university transfer program. While focusing on her studies in psychology, she could also be found writing and pitching songs that she hopes will advance her music career as a singer/songwriter.

By the age of 22, she has opened for popular Canadian musicians including Brett Kissel, Corb Lund, Jojo Mason and Gord Bamford. She’s also played at country music festivals such as Big Valley Jamboree and Country Thunder at Craven. Her style could be described as upbeat country pop that tells a story. One of her songs, Back to Us, earn the distinction of being the Trending Track on Stingray radio.

“As a whole, the music industry is a very supportive place,” says Pollard. “All of the performers and musicians I’ve worked with have been very welcoming. The ultimate dream would be to be on stage at the Grande Ol’ Opry. It’s what every singer/songwriter hopes for.”

Pollard has been writing and performing since the young age of 11. As a young girl, she could often be found singing into her karaoke machine or on stage at a local open mic night. She adds that while she isn’t quite sure where her love of performing on stage comes from—none of her family are musicians—she is thankful for the support of her family.

“My parents have always been right behind me and have never discouraged me in anyway. They would always encourage all of us kids to just go for it, whatever we wanted to do. I am so lucky that way.”

As musical and personal inspiration, for Pollard, much of that comes from artists including Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dolly Parton, Tenille Townes, and most notably, Taylor Swift.

“I have so much respect for these artists, Taylor Swift especially,” says Pollard. “Not only is she an excellent songwriter and performer, she is a good person. There is a quote from her where she says, ‘No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.’ I try to follow that practice in my own life.”

Adopting this philosophy may also lead Pollard to eventually pursue another passion within the music industry–providing mental health support for artists.

The need for mental health supports became very much centre stage during the pandemic, explains Pollard, as she herself, experienced feelings of loss and isolation when she was no longer able to perform on stage to live audiences.

“It was quite an awful, lonely feeling,” explains Pollard. “As musicians, we thrive on the energy and the appreciation of the crowd when we perform, and when we were not being able to do that, or collaborate and work with other performers, it was really hard.”

Armed with her own experience and with a genuine interest to help others, Pollard’s long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, and become a practicing psychologist, specializing to support clients in the music industry.

“It’s such a specific industry and performers’ needs are unique,” says Pollard. “It is difficult for someone to understand the challenges and feelings that musicians have unless you’ve been there. That’s where I feel I have something to offer and be helpful.”