Jenifer Washington knows what it’s like to be under pressure.

The 20-year-old respiratory care major, who has sung her way to auditions for shows like “Showtime at the Apollo” and “American Idol,” has come across many mishaps and tribulations in her climb to success.

At “Apollo” auditions, she said she got up on stage to perform, only to blank out in front of the judges.

“I don’t know what happened. I got there and just forgot the words,” Washington said. “But hey, it happens to even the best of them.”

However, blanking out could have been due to a last-minute decision, Washington said.

“I didn’t know what song I was going to sing; I just decided to choose one at the last minute.”

And at “American Idol” auditions last year, Washington said she made it to the third round in front of celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, when tragedy struck.

Washington’s brother, Larry Patrick, was suddenly killed at the age of 25.

“(He was at the) wrong place at the wrong time,” she said.

Shaken by his death, Washington decided to drop out of the competition.

“I made it to the third round, then my brother passed, so I said, ‘forget it.'”

However, Washington realized that she had to continue singing; her brother would not have wanted her to stop just because he was gone.

“I said, ‘Let me pursue something, knowing he’s proud of me and (that) I’m not just quitting because he’s gone,'” she said.

Knowing her brother would have been proud of her for not quitting allowed Washington to continue pursuing her singing career.

“I pretty much felt OK about the situation,” she said. “It uplifted me when I was down,” she said.

Having been singing since she was 4 years old, Washington said that it has always been a major constant in her life.

“(I practice) every day, every hour, every minute,” she said.

“(Singing) is important because it’s who I am,” Washington said. “It’s using my inspiration to continue a part of my soul; it’s my uplifter.”

Part of her inspiration comes from singer India.Arie, whom Washington admires for her style of music as well as her message.

“I’m into India.Arie and Neil Soul,” she said. “Not too much into love or talking about lovers, (but instead) just respect yourself. Just be who you are, you know?”

India.Arie, who uses the guitar as her main instrument, also serves as standard to Washington, who has been learning to play the guitar for two years.

“She plays (the guitar), so it pushes me to learn,” she said. “So one day, I could probably be up where she is, if not beyond.”

Despite blanking out at the “Apollo” audition, Washington, who has been performing since the age of 10, said she doesn’t get nervous when it’s time to perform.

“I love attention,” she said. “I love it (and) I’m ready for it.”

Along with completing EC’s respiratory care program, Washington said that she hopes to get her “big break” someday.

“I know I’ll probably have to go through struggles and runaround, and get turned down, but I know one day I’m going to make it because I’m persistent,” she said.

“(If) you’ve got a dream, you gotta go for it,” she said.

Whatever happens in the future, Washington said that she will never stop singing.

“I can’t see myself not singing,” Washington said. “That’s the truth.”