Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/370174
SEPTEMBER 2014 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 31 When she graduated in 2006, she moved to Los Angeles to study music at University of Southern California (USC). Her whirlwind music career did not stop with her studies. Soon she was recording at Capitol Studios with seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz producer Chris Walden, performing live with his Chris Walden Big Band, and cutting her first album, "Speak Love"— featuring original songs and numbers co-written with Walden. During her senior year, she was also named one of Glamour magazine's Top 10 College Women of the Year in 2009 for her music, philanthropy, and academics. "I have always been a hard worker, and I try and embrace opportunities when they come my way," Courtney says. "A lot of wonderful people took chances on me early on and I've tried to live up to that." At the start of 2014, Courtney per- formed for six months as the featured act at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. Her sound, a blend of Norah Jones, Peggy Lee, and pure Courtney Fortune, was a hit. She performed six nights a week which, she says, "demolished every bad habit" she may have ever held as a singer. Now the artist says she is happy to be back in the Northwest. She is also excit- ed to have her own WAC membership. "The Club has done so much to help me transition into my new life in Seattle," says Courtney, who is now a member of the 20s/30s Committee. She says she loves all the social events at the Club and the opportunity to be with people her age, networking and making friends. Courtney also enjoys working out at the Club and taking barre classes. "In my line of work, it's important to keep up your appearance, have healthy lungs, and especially have a lot of stamina," she says. "The Club has amazing facilities for keep- ing me in shape." This September, Courtney will celebrate the release of "Full On!," the new Chris Walden Big Band album featur- ing her performing her original song, "Lost in the Memory." She and Walden have also begun work on her own album, due out next year. In early 2015, she sets off on another international performance tour. "Everything is taking off," Courtney says. "I am living one of my dreams, to explore the world through music." Courtney, a member of the 20s/30s Committee, is ever at home in front of a piano on stage. J O H N B A N G Courtney notes that it's important to stay in shape in her line of work. Here, she's taking her barre class at the WAC.