Janie Thompson
| Janie Thompson | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
August 20, 1921 Malta, Idaho |
| Died | June 1, 2013 (aged 91) Orem, Utah |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
| Parents |
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Janie Thompson (August 20, 1921 – June 1, 2013) was a performer. She was a professor at Brigham Young University and the founding director of the BYU Young Ambassadors and the Living Legends (BYU) performance groups. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and served as a missionary in Wales.
Thompson was born August 20, 1921, to J. Henry Thompson and Lora Harmon. She grew up in Malta, Idaho. She was the oldest of seven children. Thompson's mother was a singer and dancer, until a train accident left her unable to continue dancing. She would think of choreography and have Thompson dance out the steps for her. Her father sang bass. There was one piano in her house growing up, but her family could not afford lessons, so Thompson taught herself to play. She first performed at age 14. She attended Raft River High School and graduated in 1939.
Thompson was accepted to Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1939. She worked as a pianist, playing in dance classes, to put herself through college. and graduated in 1943 with a music degree. She associated with the Army Cadet Marching Band which helped launch her career when she was asked to be their lead female singer.
After graduating, Thompson taught music for some time at Timpanogos Elementary School in Provo, Utah. She quit her teaching job to go to California, where Thompson entered a singing competition in San Francisco. She became a Civilian Actress Technician, allowing her to perform for the Army of Occupation. She toured Europe, performing for soldiers in World War II with the 314th Army Special Service Band. She performed weekly at the Wiesbaden Opera House, and also performed with Tony Bennett. She returned to the United States in 1947 and performed with Ike Carpenter. She was then called on a mission for the LDS Church to Wales in 1950.
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