Taylor Gibson



Projects by Taylor Gibson

Journalism Story

More Than Music

More  Than Music

Taken by Jordan Porter. Jadon passionately singing, with more performers on stage out of focus and frame.

Media Contacts
Jordan Porter
Taylor Gibson
Declan  Mcmahon

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (Apr. 3, 2025) — Jadon Perkins is a 22 year old senior at Indiana University studying Liberal Arts and Music Performance. Since his early childhood, he has grown a massive love not just for music but actually getting up on stage and performing as well. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. Group of performers, Jadon and Luther included near the very center, pose for a group photo after a long day of performances.

Music has been a massive part of Jadon’s life, stemming from Wes Montgomery.  John Leslie Montgomery, nicknamed “Wes”, was an American jazz guitarist born in the great state of Indiana. He had a very unique way of playing the guitar and performance due to the way he plucked the strings with the side of his thumb as well as the wide range of his singing voice. Unfortunately, Wes passed away in 1968. However, his legacy lives on through performers just like Jadon. Jadon grew up surrounded by music because of people in his life, like his uncle, that shared the joy of music with him. When reflecting on him, Jadon shared that his uncle taught him “that you can live off of music, you don’t have to have a [traditional] job if you don’t want to, it’s possible to live off music.” Having this belief instilled into Jadon at such a young age gave him the confidence and guidance that he needed to follow his dream and choose his true path in life. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. Luther Allison listens to questions about his career in music.

As early as third and fourth grade, Jadon talked about performing at talent shows and in the choir. In choir, he was given solos that motivated him to shine brighter and brighter on stage. These opportunities planted a seed that grew into the love of performance that Jadon continues to nourish today. Jadon tells a story about when he was ten years old and performed at Lucas Oil Stadium for a preseason game played by the Indianapolis Colts against the Green Bay Packers. Jadon recalls the day by saying “it was my first time really on the big stage, so… I was about 10, 11 years old? I was scared because everyone was saying come on up, but I didn’t want to. However, I went up there and sang.” He then talks about how after that one performance, he knew he was hooked. His life’s purpose is to sing for people and share with them intense emotions and unforgettable experiences. Seeing that look and joy in people’s eyes is so rewarding for Jadon but also performing is a way for Jadon to be “his truest form of himself.” Jadon when talking shows his empathetic side as well for performance because nobody knows what people are going through. It is because of this that he wants to give his best performance every time. Jadon is able to to ensure that he is remembered for not only his performance but his message as well. 

Taken by Jordan Porter. A close up of instruments on stage.

Now the message in this case is music. Jadon sings covers of songs for wedding events or corporate events. He tries to bring every song to life by putting a lot of energy into his performance. He believes music and performance go hand in hand “without music you can’t perform… the message is in the music and performing is just spreading the message of the music to the audience.”

Taken by Jordan Porter. Sign for the “Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall Black Culture Center” located at 275 North Eagleson Avenue.

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, we attended one of Jadon’s performances as a member of the IU soul revue for the Lincoln Jazz Orchestra. The IU soul revue is the only ensemble that you can receive college credit. This ensemble was built for the purpose of preserving black music. The performance absolutely blew us away, Jordan and the rest of the performers were incredible. They created a very unique and entertaining sound and everyone in the audience was loving it. When we asked Jordan how it feels to perform, he briefly talked about how he almost blacks out and lets the music and performance take over so not even he knows what type of dance moves he will use. He draws from performers like Bruno Mars and talks about how one day he wants to be as big as him. Seeing the joy and overwhelming emotion that Jadon displayed throughout this performance really brings it all together to how music and performance are so much bigger than simply attending an event. It’s about the stories, the passion, the message and so many more special ingredients that go into it. 

Jadon Perkins recounts on the significance of music and performance to him. Luther Allison, a musician that attended the performance, shares his thoughts on hard work as a performer.

Jadon Perkins, the 22 year old student from IU, don’t be surprised if you hear this name again performing at a stadium just like his inspiration Bruno mars, or leaving a massive cultural impact just like Wes Montgomery. One thing is for certain this Indiana native is destined for big things.

 

Public Relations Story

A NEW WORLD OF TIME: APPLE TAKES A LEAP IN SMARTWATCH INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts
Regan Stookey
Taylor Gibson
Haoran Zhu

CUPERTINO, California. (Sept. 9,2014)- During the morning of September 9th widely known Apple CEO Tim Cook left listeners in the Flint Center for the Performing Arts hanging on the edge of their seats as he hinted at the New Innovation. As listeners gasped, Tim Cook eagerly displayed a highly insightful showcase which revealed to the listeners the reasoning of Tims excitement- The Apple Watch.

To break into the specs of the Apple Watch Cook shares with his listeners the in-depth thinking that went into creating a smartwatch that would not only be technologically advanced but also cover the need for navigating technology with ease as well as in style. He reveals that with each product that Apple has created a breakthrough in user interface was needed. We were then introduced to the new technology of the “digital crown”. Cooke explained that the new Apple watch will include “Infrared LEDs and photodiodes that translate rotary movement into digital data”. However, one does not need to understand the full meaning of that-in simple terms Apple reveals when you turn the digital crown it allows for you to do simple things like zooming in and out as well as scrolling through text all while avoiding blocking the screen with your fingertips. On top of this with a yet again simple click of the digital crown you are navigated right back to your home screen. Following this reveal Cook queued in a fellow designer to give an insight to how Apple has yet again improved not only the physical technology but also its digital technology.

This student uses Apple Watch to stay organized, set study timers, and achieve their study goals one notification at a time.

 

 

 

 

Johnny Ive, a Senior Design VP at Apple, takes us through yet another showcase of the Apple Watch which allowed the viewers to get a physical insight to the new innovation. Ive begins by stating “Were introducing an unparalleled level of technical innovation combined with a design that connects with the wearer at an intimate level to both embrace individuality and inspire desire”.  Through the usage of Smart reply dictation the Apple watch allows for you to swiftly respond to text messages on the go as well as glances allow for you to productively swipe through information. However, it does not stop there through digital touch users are now able to connect through creative interactions-perhaps you would like to send your friend a quick sketch or step further into personal effects and send your own heartbeat. Each of these features are easily accessible through the Apple Watch offering personable experiences that most smartwatches and technology avoid all through a flexible retina display on a single crystal of sapphire. While the watch may be small enough to fit onto your wrist Ive explained that it is practically an “entire computer system onto a single chip” covered by a zirconia back with four sapphire lenses with infrared visible light LEDs and photo sensors. These lenses allow for Apple to then break into the health sector of this Smartwatch starting with pulse rate. An in-depth profile of the user’s daily activity can be created through the usage of the gyroscope providing fitness goals and milestones. To personalize it even further Apple provides a broad range of watch faces as well as their capability beyond the interface-six different interchangeable straps.

The masseuse tracks appointment times in real time on her Apple Watch, ensuring every guest gets a relaxing moment while she manages her busy schedule.

Vice president Kevin Lynch provides a Live demo of the Apple Watch further introducing glances. Glances allows for you to choose information to be displayed to you at a quick swipe of the watch from things such as built in apps and 3rd party apps arranged to your liking. While swiftly going through messages Apple has also created a quick board allowing for even swiffer responses to texts through analysis providing responses that are personable to you as well as your conversation. As we all know and love Siri that has been in the Apple product known as the iPhone she is also available in the Apple Watch allowing you to ask her any and every question that comes to mind. Lynch concludes with the feature of the Watchkit a integrated experience that allows for developers to create in depth notifications from 3rd party apps as well as creative glances.

As if the Apple Watch seemed to already have it all, Cooke enlightens us with one last feature-Health and fitness. Through collaboration with Jay Blahnik the Director of Fitness, Health Technologies an important new era to Apple was created providing aid to all goals and fitness levels with two new applications. The fitness app monitors daily activity and movement extending into the workout app allowing for more specified goals in things such as running or even cycling for the more active users. An accelerometer is used to measure your total body movement as well as a sensor that measures intensity through your heart rate. Complete with GPS and navigation systems to track distance while providing direction.

The Apple watch is undoubtedly a large innovative leap into the capabilities of the smart watch. Through a sleek flexible retina display Apple provides it all with top-of-the-line technology adding personable features providing style and inclusivity. Redefining the simplicity of a watch one feature at a time.

 

Tim Cook and Kevin Lynch educating viewers on Apples latest updates and models. These new features will allow for users to explore all new technologies.

###