I have pleasure in featuring our second major endorser, Karen Jacobsen, Australia-born and before Covid, New York-based entertainer, singer, motivational speaker, voice-over artist and songwriter.
Karen is now back residing in Australia. I was humbled to receive Karen’s amazing endorsement below… not only because of her powerful words, but because of her wonderful work with the charity, Broken to Brilliant. This amazing charity was founded by domestic violence survivors to support fellow survivors. Broken to Brilliant designs programs to help survivors move forward in their journey of healing and reclaiming themselves after abuse.
Karen said about the book….
There is power in truth. Kaz Piper’s courage to share truth; to go to the devastating spaces of the past with the intention of educating and inspiring others, is extraordinary. This is not a comfortable story, but it is one that stands to make an immense difference. May it move us closer to a time when all human beings are equal. Congratulations Kaz on this mammoth accomplishment, and for being willing to set yourself free, and others in the process. Karen Jacobsen - The GPS Girl®, Singer, Songwriter and International Patron of Broken to Brilliant
You may not know the name, but you may recognise her voice. In 2002, Karen’s speaking voice was chosen as one of the Australian English options for the text-to-speech system used in GPS[12] units for Garmin, Navman, TomTom[13] and Mio and in telephone and computer software systems. Karen has been dubbed by ABC News[14] and CBS News as 'The Dashboard Diva'[15] and by the Gold Coast Bulletin as 'Gadget Girl'.[16]
She created the empowerment brand 'The GPS Girl'[17] and in speaking engagements[18] and performances shares the five directions for Recalculating,[19][20][21] how to 'Recalculate' in Business and Life and 'The GPS Girl's Top Ten Directions for Life'[22] and filmed the pilot of television show, 'Travel the World with The GPS Girl'.[23]
From 2011 to 2014, Karen's voice was used as the original female Australian voice of the Siri application on Apple iPhones, iPods and iPads.[24][25]
Born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia and writing songs from the age of seven, Karen was inspired to be a professional singer by her idol Olivia Newton-John.[1] She graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University majoring in voice and piano, winning the Jazz Prize and completing her A.Mus.A. on piano.
Singing with the Queensland Youth Choir and being awarded the Warana Young Performer of the Year, she moved to Sydney making her musical theatre debut in the original Australian cast of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story. She performed regularly on Australian television including Good Morning Australia and I Do I Do and her speaking and singing voices have been used on thousands of commercials for television, radio and online.
On 4 July 2000, she relocated to New York City,[2][3][4] writing and recording songs, and releasing nine CDs on her independent label Kurly Queen.[5][6]
Her songs have been on soundtracks for Dawson's Creek[7] and the NBC show Passions and she has shared the stage with Christopher Cross, Neil Sedaka, Norah Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Spyro Gyra, Deborah Cox and Rachael Sage.[8][9][10][11] She has written or recorded with Grammy Award winner Andy Zulla, Tony Award winner David Zippel, ARIA Award winner Sean O'Boyle and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers.
Karen is releasing her 11th studio album The Slipstream in 2022, with cinematic, piano-driven songs and music videos filmed in the glorious tropical Whitsundays region of North Queensland, Australia. She is co-Founder of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and is passionate about elevating the arts and culture presence in the region.
I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more in the future from this amazing lady.
