Nothing remains unreachable when one extends his hands far and no dream remains a dream when one decrees with tremendous effort to have it realized. Attaining one’s magnificent obsession while using his potentials to the fullest makes him not only a goal chaser but a dream catcher, as well.
Such is upcoming tenor Jared Martin Babuschak. Aptly billed Jared Martin, this young Martin Nievera dead-ringer is a natural born dreamer with a firm determination to succeed as he capitalizes on his God-given singing voice and his innate inclination to music. At the tender age of two, Jared could belt out Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard theme song, “I Will Always Love You.” He also learned to play the piano with such unadulterated interest at a young age.
Jared’s love of music and inspiration to perform began with the East Side Dance Company where he studied tap dance and jazz and won both individual and group awards in competitions.
While at St Joseph Grade School, he performed at Monsignor Donovan High School (MDHS) musicals. His maiden appearance on stage was in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” where he was a member of the children’s choir.
As fate had it, he was ushered into a keener stream of music and theater by his paternal grandmother, Carol Anne Weisgarber-Babuschak, a singer, music teacher and stage director, who would cast him in practically every stage production which she handled.
“Through her influence, I was challenged and relegated to tackle multifarious roles: from literally non-speaking and non-singing parts to finally landing on a variety of gigantic lead characters,” the bound-to-greatness tenor said.
“After having been equipped with the fundamentals in singing and acting, it was a smooth transition for me to attain a level where my acting and singing capabilities opened a tremendous amount of ability to create distinct voices of characterization which I consistently used,” he added in jest.
Jared’s first lead role was as the young Prince Chulalongkorn in “The King and I” followed by equally significant main characters as the sergeant Bobby in “The Pirates of Penzance,” as Perchik in “The Fiddler On The Roof,” as King Arthur in “Camelot,” and as Sid Sorokin in “The pajama Game.”
Until eighth grade, Jared was part of a choral ensemble called The Little Blue singing Crew and while in high school he played trombone in concert band competitions and jazz rock ensemble. At the same time, he engaged himself into playing a number of minor and major roles in school plays and summer community children theater productions.
While in both grade school and high school, Jared attended Filipino-American Cultural Enrichment School (FACES) of Ocean County in Toms River, New Jersey where he learned and performed the basic foundations and fundamentals of Filipino cultural dances and songs.
During the summer months, Jared would perform with the Brick Community Children’s Theater (BCCT) gaining more prominence in his chosen field. His roles included Monsieur D’Arque in “The Beauty and The Beast”, as John the Baptist in “Godspell”, as Horton, the Elephant in “Seussical” and as the Tinman in “The Wizzard of Oz.”
Just when you think he’s done with all of those projects, the unstoppable Jared enthusiastically accepted the role of Ito in the Strand Theater’s production of “Mame”.
As a growing teen with natural inclination to sports, Jared nearly faced a blank wall when he was torn between his singing and basketball. Prompted with mounting pressure and seemingly an unbearable dilemma he couldn’t phase-out from his way, his father entered frame just in the right moment.
“My dad clearly presented the scenarios that bothered me and after weighing things, I was finally convinced that I have brighter future in music than playing basketball,” Jared said.
His senior year offered him a significant event in life when he was chosen to perform in the Jazz State Choir and met a friend and mentor, Justin Binek, head of the Vocal Jazz Department at the University of the Arts School of Music.
While seriously focused in academics, he deliberately tried to find a way to balance his studies with his interest in music. He played trombone in his high school Pep Band and for all home football games. Jared’s performances in jazz and classical competitions like his solo in “Shenandoah” justifiably won for him a Maestro Award
Destined to succeed, Jared won a Presidential Scholarship from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia upon graduation from MDHS after he auditioned and was accepted to the Vocal Performance Degree Program where he’s currently majoring in Vocal Performance and Music education.
As a college freshman, he was kept occupied with trombone performances while full of singing commitments more than his hands could hold. Jared’s fine qualities of a future maestro wasn’t left unnoticed. Undoubtedly a potential asset and inspiration to the growing number of musical hopefuls, and having able to maintain his academic standing by being consistently a Dean’s Lister, Jared was hired by his college to be a peer tutor…assisting his fellow music majors.
Jared has performed in the past ensembles at UArt’s including Men’s Choir, Opera Choir, Jazz Choir, Musical Theater Ensemble and Classical Choir. Currently an active member of OcToncs, Salsa Ensemble, Vox, Opera / Oratorio Ensemble, and Handbell Ensemble.
“No matter how occupied I was in school or being kept busy with other things, for some reasons or by instinct, I tend to cling on to any musical instrument familiar with me,” he said, adding, “I picked up the piano again and learned more than what its purpose served me. I came to learn to play other instruments while having Music Education for my minor.”
Two years under Justin Binek studying jazz vocalization and classical training under Paul Spencer Adkins, one of the most prestigious and celebrated opera tenors in the world, duly gave Jared the much-needed knowledge he truly wanted to gain for the realization of his ultimate dream to be a world renowned tenor.
Possessing a fully resonant voice with appropriate, unambiguous, and distinctive range of dynamics, Jared’s velvety vocal sounds are the result of painstaking perseverance and determination. Every day, upon waking up, he practices his messa di voce (the crescendo and decrescendo) so as to maintain that level of vocal range.
He may be classically trained but driven by his fervent desire to be diverse and abreast with any music genre, Jared could also render pop music with such ease and confidence. His efficient glottal control enables him to vocally deliver his pop pieces as effectively as his arpeggios and arias in such effortless way. This peculiar singing style that earned for him that enviable status far different from among his peers.
It isn’t surprising at all if Jared is wholeheartedly inclined to music. His father, Mark Francis, is a singer, himself. (Check him out at http://www.youtube.com/playlist=PLA4CF20103CC8ACAC). Mark effortlessly renders old time hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s and even current generation ditties convincingly. His strong musical genes, without a cloud of doubt, have directly influenced Jared.
Mark came from a family of singers and musicians. His grandfather, Mathias Weisgarber, was a harmonica player in the Navy during the WWII while his uncle, William Weisgarber, was a singer and a guitar and banjo player. Mark’s formative years oriented him to the music of Harry Belafonte, Jim Croce, John Denver, and Glen Campbell while being addicted to the musical TV shows of Tom Jones, Sonny & Cher, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby. Until now, if there’s anything that could perk up Mark’s day, that would be his karaoke machine and a microphone.
Jared was asked if there was any singer in his mother’s side, to which he quickly replied with a coy smile: “There’s no singer in my mom’s family but in all fairness, they’re the ones being sung to. My ancestors from my mother’s side were all beauty title holders.” He recalled, “My great grandma, Teodora Trinidad Reyes, was the first ever Bb. Liwayway in 1929 while my grandmother who I call Mama, Ofelia Trinidad Reyes-Ortega, 80, was the first Bb. Kislap Magazine in 1950, Her sister, my other grandmother, Estelita Reyes-Guevarra was the first Bb. Ilang-Ilang Magazine in 1951. Isn’t it great to inherit their genes?”
No wonder, Jared has that well-chiseled face, good looks, and a smooth complexion which are paramount assets of an attractive and effective stage performer that fans idolize and support. When asked if he had a choice aside from singing, what career path would he take, Jared gave a childish grin and replied: “If I didn’t pursue a singing career, surely, I would be working in Disneyland, anywhere and anything in Disney.”
“Why so?” I vehemently asked, and he replied, “Nothing. I just so loved their theme parks and characters especially Woody. Maybe, I’ll never outgrow that innate child in me. I’ll forever be a boy trapped in a man’s body,” he said laughing boisterously.
Incidentally, Jared strongly believes in giving back to his community and knowing that his talent could do the works, he has done several fund raising events and voluntary (pro bono) performances throughout their area. He has also done cantoring for several churches and nursing homes, bringing joy and entertainment to senior citizens.
Just recently, he performed with the legendary Bert Nievera and Celine Lambino of Smokey Mountain at the Toms River Clarion after being together on stage with actor-singer Gabby Concepcion. Jared was able to work also with Grammy Award-winning conductor/pianist Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Cape May Convention Center. He also serenaded the queens at PAFCOM’s annual gala event at Double Tree by Hilton (formerly Sheraton Hotel) along Frontage Road in Newark, NJ.
Come Friday, August 16, Fiesta in America invited Jared to perform at its People’s Ball, a grandiose social assembly of who’s who in the Filipino-American community to celebrate the formal opening of its annual event, now on its 15th year.
Undoubtedly, Jared Martin has the qualities rarely found among young tenors and his unconditional dedication in honing and perfecting his craft, with still a card up his sleeves, are surefire tools to make him soar even more, reaching the apogee where he’s bound, leaving his peers miles behind. And like a lilting melody, Jared’s impressive talent and irresistible appeal will persist and would linger incessantly even long after the lights are out, the curtain falls, and his performance is through.
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