By: Virginia Jacobs
Born in Thailand on March 17th, 2003, Virginia moved to the United States in 2007 at the age of five after being adopted. Music has always been a part of Virginia’s life and has been a constant source of comfort throughout, but it truly came alive for her at the age of 12 when she started singing and experimenting with filming low-quality song covers.
As a young child, Virginia had a hard time adjusting to a new culture and language. In her early days in public school, she struggled to communicate and navigate a world ill-equipped for her needs, which could have easily led her down a path of limitations. However, MSB offered her a beacon of hope a place where barriers are dismantled, and potentials are unleashed.
Throughout her time at MSB, Virginia discovered her passions for music, coding, and even entrepreneurship, launching her own knitting business. She mastered the piano, learned braille, performed at school concerts, and engaged in clubs, all while cultivating a spirit of independence and self-advocacy. Virginia’s journey underscores a critical truth. Virginia’s first major breakthrough performance, held at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024, was a pivotal moment, helping her to gain more exposure in live performance. These experiences not only shape her as a musician; they’ve become a core part of who she is.
Virginia looks up to Joel Jackson, a fellow Christian artist who has scaled up in the music industry. Their shared life challenges and faith have profoundly shaped Virginia’s musical career, which is centered around praising and spreading the message of her love for Jesus and spreading the word of God. Virginia desires to express her devotion to Jesus. She aims to direct her audience to look towards Jesus Christ, rather than looking towards her. Virginia’s music is a reminder of the guidance and salvation that faith in Jesus holds.
Virginia actively engages with her audience through various mainstream social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. These platforms have become vital in promoting her music and connecting with her audience.
As a blind artist, I have a rare form of Peter’s anomaly. This congenital condition is caused by the incomplete separation of the cornea and the iris, leading to clouding of the cornea and, in many cases, significant visual impairment or blindness. In Virginia’s case, the layers of her eyes did not form fully, resulting in very small eyes and a distinctively small, rounded face. Unlike some others with this condition, Virginia does not have significant facial structural deformities, but the visual challenges are profound. Despite these challenges, she has never let her condition define her or her musical ambitions. At the age of 15, Virginia lost vision in her left eye, which led to the diagnosis of her condition. At that time, her medical team was trying to understand the cause of the vision loss. By the age of 19, on February 28, 2021, Virginia underwent surgery to remove her left eye due to severe, debilitating pain. An ultrasound revealed that the retina was non-existent, leading to the decision to fit a prosthetic eye. Despite these significant challenges, Virginia continues to pursue her musical career with determination.
Significant Life Events
“When I returned back to school and met Miss Lynnie, the new music teacher at the time, i didn’t realize Miss Lynnie would become a pivotal figure in in my life.”
This newfound connection not only rekindled Virginia’s love for music but also helped her rediscover her love for life. Virginia will never forget. Virginia is hopeful that her music will not only entertain but also profoundly impact others. She aspires to inspire others to discover their own passions for music and life, potentially transforming their lives as hers was. Making a significant impact and helping others realize their potential through her music is a key part of her mission as an artist.
