Judy Whitmore is the kind of modern Renaissance woman who seems to have lived a dozen creative lives in one. A celebrated vocal artist and award-winning, best-selling author, Judy’s journey has taken her from the recording studios of Hollywood to the skies as a Learjet Captain, and from the Broadway stage to the pages of Amazon’s best-seller lists.
Born in New York City and raised in Studio City, California, Judy’s singing career began while she was still in college, landing a role as a background vocalist for Capitol Records. But her story is one of reinvention: she traded the L.A. lights for the mountain air of Aspen, Colorado, where she served as President of the American Theater Company and the Aspen Playwrights Conference and sat on the board of Ballet West Aspen. Adding another feather to her cap, Judy earned her pilot’s license and volunteered on search and rescue missions for Aspen Air Rescue, eventually becoming a Learjet Captain and flying everything from seaplanes to hot-air balloons.
Returning to Los Angeles, Judy brought her creative vision to musical theater, producing “Taking a Chance on Love” and co-producing the London revival of Leonard Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town.” Ever the lifelong learner, she earned a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology and opened a private practice before diving into writing at UC Irvine. Her debut novel, “Come Fly with Me,” soared to #1 on Amazon Kindle, followed by a cookbook and a graphic novel adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Judy’s musical journey continued as she formed a trio with her brother and a friend, performing across the country—including at Carnegie Hall—and releasing the album “Act Three” in 2016. Her solo career soon took flight, captivating audiences with a repertoire spanning American standards, Broadway classics, and jazz. Her solo albums include “Can’t We Be Friends,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” “Come Fly with Me,” “Let’s Fall in Love,” and her latest holiday album, “Christmas.” Judy is also a proud member of The Recording Academy.
A passionate supporter of the arts, Judy has served as a volunteer make-up artist for Laguna Beach’s Pageant of The Masters for 15 years and now sits on the executive committee of Pacific Symphony’s Board of Directors. She also lends her expertise to the boards of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Backhaus Dance, and The OC World Affairs Council.
Judy’s latest single, “The Ghosts of Christmas Past,” is a standout from her new holiday album. Written by Michael Orland (American Idol) and Jamie Wooten (The Golden Girls), the track showcases Judy’s soul-drenched vocals over lush, festive arrangements. The full album, “Christmas,” is produced, arranged, and conducted by seven-time GRAMMY® nominee Chris Walden (Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder), and features twelve stunning reimaginings of beloved holiday classics performed with a full orchestra.
Whether she’s inspiring with her music, storytelling, or community leadership, Judy Whitmore continues to prove that artistry, heart, and reinvention are truly timeless.
Stream on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/7gb7Gi2siE1BQwSQzmi823?si=b7f6c28ed00048b9
www.judywhitmore.com
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