Her show business debut was at a school talent show in the second grade. Now Jessica Bachicha is releasing a CD with compositions from famous artists as well as one of her own compositions.
She started work on her CD, Illumination, last summer and worked on it throughout the school year.
Although she was born blind, Bachicha said she is just like everyone else.
"For me blindness has been not really a disability, but an inconvenience," Bachicha said.
She compared it to being short. She said a short person would not expect to grow to reach something high, but would use a stool as a tool.
Bachicha is active in helping other blind students. She had a part-time job teaching blind students how to transition into college life. She is also the president of the New Mexico Association of Blind Students, an organization that helps students learn to live on their own and advocates equality.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Bachicha composes music on a Perkins Braille Writer, which she began using when she was 16, and uses software that lets her transcribe music from Braille to sheet music.
The song she wrote for her album is called "Verbum Caro Factum Est (The Word Became Flesh)." Bachicha said she first wrote the words as a poem, then composed the music.
She said one of her main influences is her faith.
Bachicha taught catechism to eighth graders last year and said she is focused on loving God.
"A lot of my music is influenced by Catholic faith," Bachicha said. "A lot of what I try to do is use older music and interpret it so it will appeal to modern audiences."
Other songs on her album were written by Leaonard Bernstein and Isabell Leonard. Her producer, Tobias Katz, suggested the album's name.
Bachicha said the title represented her music well because of the different ideas she hopes listeners will get from it.
"I wanted something to do with light because I think music can be that way," Bachicha said. "Sometimes when you have an insight, it just comes upon you."
Bachicha said she writes music that incorporates classical style with modern compositions. She wants to rejuvenate classical music to get all audiences interested. She described her music as baroque because of the way she composes - words first, then music.
Bachicha decided to attend UNM after she received a Regents' Scholarship. She graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in foreign languages and music.
Next year, Bachicha will attend the University of Leeds in England and work on a master's degree and doctorate in vocal music. She said she researched many universities and found Leeds accommodated all of her interests - music, theology and medieval studies.
Bachicha said she plans on performing more after college and becoming a professor in voice or music theory.
She also started a project with two friends called the Troubadours of the Christ. Robby Blea is the electric guitarist and Joseph McCanna plays the piano. They are working on an album and a possible tour. Bachicha said their music is religious and eclectic.
The group's mission statement says, "By revitalizing early sacred music, we hope to show audiences a glimpse of the garden of the church whose son is Jesus Christ."
