Janie Thompson

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 Lamanite GenerationLiving 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. Provided by Wikipedia