ValLimar Jansen

As a renowned professional singer and performer who has toured the world, Cal State San Bernardino alumna ValLimar Jansen is a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Gold Medallion.

Jansen, who earned her bachelor’s degree in theater arts from CSUSB in 1990, will be honored during the Region 8 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) at Cal State Fullerton from Tuesday-Saturday, Feb. 11-15.

The Kennedy Center Gold Medallion is given to individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theater and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the KCACTF.

According to The Kennedy Center website, “recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF and to excellence in educational theatre. It is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the great honors in theatre education.”

Jansen has professionally performed and toured around the globe, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Singapore and China.

One of her most notable projects was a one-woman musical about the life of American singer and actress Ethel Waters, which Jansen starred and co-authored with her CSUSB theater professor and mentor, the late William Slout. Jansen received a special commendation from The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for the performance.

Jansen remained active with KCACTF-Region 8 for many years, serving on the board, managing the Excellence in Education Awards, responding to productions, assisting with new play development, and consulting on matters of diversity. When her schedule permits, she continues to serve on the team for respondent training. According to an email announcing Jansen’s award, responding to productions is still her favorite way to serve KCACTF-Region 8.

With more than 120 unique performances annually, Jansen, who has sung sacred music since she was five years old, has developed her signature blend of dramatic art, music, movement, prayer and inspirational exhortation. Her biggest international audiences were at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, and then in Panama City, Panama. At the Loreto/Angora International Papal Event in Italy, Jansen and her husband, Frank, performed for more than 300,000 people and the event was broadcast on Italian television, EWTN and across the world. She has also produced and/or co-produced 14 CDs and has nine published works.

After Jansen completed her bachelor’s at CSUSB, she earned her master’s degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her goals are to complete a Master of Divinity in theology and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching.
 
To learn more about ValLimar Jansen, visit her website at vallimar.com.
 
Visit The Kennedy Center website to learn more about its programs.