- Jessica Chapnik
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Jessica Chapnik is an Argentinian-Australian actress and musician. She is probably best known for her role as Sam Tolhurst/Holden in the Australian television drama Home and Away (2006—2008).[1] Her latest music project is under the name of Appleonia, for which she is currently working on an album.
Contents
Early life
Chapnik was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but migrated to Sydney, Australia with her family when she was five years old. On arriving to Australia, speaking no English, they lived in a migrant hostel for one year. She has a Catholic Italian mother and a Jewish Argentinian father of Polish descent, but was brought up in an Argentinian, Spanish-speaking home (she is fluent in Spanish). Both religions were a strong influence in her life. After high school, Chapnik attended the University of New South Wales in Sydney and graduated with a degree in sociology, theatre and film.
Career
Acting career
Chapnik trained as an actress in New York for two years at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, which was founded by playwright David Mamet. While living in New York, she acted in a string of theatre productions, including plays by Pinter, Mamet and Genet. On returning to Sydney she continued working in theatre, and in 2006 she joined Australian TV drama Home and Away, playing Sam Tolhurst/Holden.[1] The role was only supposed to last three months, but was extended to one year due to the storyline’s popularity. Chapnik later had a guest role in the American adventure/fantasy series Legend of the Seeker, playing Anna Brighton. The episodes (episode 12: “Home” and episode 14: “Hartland”) were broadcast in early 2009 on Disney-ABC Domestic Television. In 2009 she also starred in the Spanish-speaking short film Amanecer (Daybreak), which won several awards around the world at Latin film festivals.
Music career
Chapnik formed her first band at the age of 18. In recent years she has toured nationally and internationally with bands and artists such as Sarah Blasko, Old Man River, Lior and the Kahn Brothers. While touring, Chapnik met musician Ben Lee and the two later began collaborating on music projects. In 2008 Chapnik recorded the soundtrack for the Australian film The Square, directed by Nash Edgerton. All songs were written and produced by Ben Lee, and sung by Chapnik.[2] The album was nominated for both an AFI Award [3] and an Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Fine Arts Award for “Best Original Soundtrack”.[4]
In Chapnik’s latest music project she goes under the name Appleonia, a character inspired by mythology and Prince’s film Purple Rain. The album is being recorded in Los Angeles and Sydney, and is produced by Ben Lee, with all songs written by Chapnik.
Personal life
Chapnik was married in 2011 to musician Nadav Kahn of the Kahn Brothers (and formerly of art rock band Gelbison).
References
- ^ a b "Holden, Sam - Characters - Home and Away". Back to the Bay. http://www.backtothebay.net/characters/holden_sam.shtml. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ Cashmere, Paul (26 February 2008). "Jessica Chapnik Sings Ben Lee". Undercover.com.au (Cashmere Media Pty Ltd). http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=4208. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "The Australian Film | Institute AFI Awards Nominees". Australian Film Institute. http://www.afi.org.au/AM/ContentManagerNet/HTMLDisplay.aspx?ContentID=5931&Section=AFI_Awards_Nominees. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2008: 22nd Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2008. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
Categories:- Australian soap opera actors
- Australian television actors
- Australian people of Argentine descent
- People from Sydney
- Australian female singers
- Living people
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