So I went looking for information...

On Saturdays and Sundays when I am not teaching I go looking for resources that can help me grow my studio or improve my teaching. Yesterday I hit the internet jackpot. I can't wait to start using some of these resources in my studio with my students. I was downloading like a mad woman. The internet has become the number one tool that I use to improve as a musician and instructor. I don't know what I would do without it. What are some of your favorite music tool websites?

These are just a few of the blogs and websites of fellow colleagues that are sharing their ideas and resources with the music community. More can be found under the Sites of Interest section to the right on this blog. Enjoy!

The Piano Pedagogy Page - Extremely Random Thoughts on Teaching and Playing the Piano

Compose Create - Tools for composing, creating, and teaching music

The Piano Studio

The Unlikely Entrepreneur

Color in My Piano - keeping music alive for piano teachers/students

Everybody's Blog Posts - The Singer Link

The Music Within Us

Quote of the Week "Remember, we all stumble..."

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.

~Emily Kimbrough

That's All - 5 Years and Counting

I knew when I found this song that this was the song to sing at my wedding. Well, actually my reception. Being a professional musician and all you would think that I would have had all the usual music for my ceremony but I opted out. We had processional music from my favorite meditative CD that went with our Asian theme and that was it. It really set the mood quite nicely for our evening, candle lit ceremony. I also didn't want to sing during my ceremony because I felt like it would turn into the "Emily Show" and that was not going to be the focus of that day. I wouldn't have sung at all except that it was my soon to be husband's only request. The reception seemed to be the perfect spot. I sang while my friend and brides maid, Kelly played the piano right after we were introduced and then Kelly played the song one more time for our first dance. This all happened five years ago this week.

This weeks video clip is Michael Buble's version of this jazz classic and one of my favorites. Enjoy!

In Two Straight Lines

I just love finding gems on the internet! Madeline and I just completed a Madeline show marathon so I decided to look on YouTube to see if I could find any shows we didn't have and this awesome song came up. If you are not familiar with Madeline, let me fill you in. Madeline is a girl from Paris that lives with 11 other girls in a boarding school with their teacher Ms. Clavel. The stories originated as a book series put together by writer and artist, Ludwig Bemelmans who was known for his cartoony depictions of famous sites in Paris. Since my daughter shares her namesake it was only natural for her to fall in love with this cute little girl. The contemporary cartoons and the french language sprinkled in don't hurt either. Enjoy "In two Straight Lines"!

Quote of the Week "For you see..."

"For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."

~Rosemonde Gerard

The Launch of the New Elliott Music Classes

The Elliott Music Studio is proud to announce the launch of Elliott Music Classes. Our new programs for children include parent and child style music and movement classes that are specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of young children, infants and toddlers. At Elliott Music Classes, it's important to us that music class be fun, creative, imaginative and educational. Through our unique programs, children learn fundamental music skills and concepts. They learn to focus and expand their attention through exposure to many different kinds of music, rhymes and rhythms. Come join in the fun as we explore music together!

WHEN & WHERE: Classes begin October 28th and are located at the Elliott Music Studio: 8602 Buckingham Lane Apt. 17 Kansas City MO 64138.

REGISTRATION: Registration is online at http://sites.google.com/site/elliottmusicclasses and is open for fall enrollment in Tiny Tot's Music I & II, Classroom Music for Little Mozarts and Family Music.

ELLIOTT MUSIC STUDIO BACKGROUND: Established in the Raytown / Kansas City area in 2007, the Elliott Music Studio strives to fulfill your music needs with skill and ease. Whether it's one-on-one voice or piano lessons, classes for the whole family or music tailored to fit your next special occasion or worship experience, the Elliott Music Studio and Emily Elliott's consummate professionalism will make the next step on your musical journey so much more enriching and enjoyable. We are excited to bring to the Kansas City area, Music for Little Mozarts, a piano method designed especially for 4, 5 & 6 year old's. This program helps foster an early love for music that lasts a lifetime. For our complete list of musical offerings see our website at http://eelliott.musician.googlepages.com.

Fall Studio Update

I can not believe it's August already. This month I took my youngest to his two month wellness check up and he is just perfect the pediatrician said. He is getting so big and starting to coo and smile. Time is really flying by. I had almost forgotten how much fun this can be. As I write this Oliver is dozing off in his bouncing seat. Thank God for those!



Our oldest, Madeline celebrated her third birthday this month with a party for family and friends. She was quite the gracious birthday girl and really enjoyed opening her many gifts. I have been keeping busy musically as always and trying to get in more practice time with two children in the house now. If you have any tips for me I would appreciate it. More cute kids pictures can be had on my facebook page.

School is here and I just finished the new redesign of the Elliott Music Studio Website for Fall Enrollment at the Elliott Music Studio. In addition to private lessons in voice and piano we are expanding our offerings this fall to include music classes for children and their families with Elliott Music Classes. Classroom Music for Little Mozarts will be one of our offerings as well as Tiny Tots music for the little ones and their parents. I will have a separate post soon with the details. I can't wait to get started!

Elliott Music Studio Voted Best Music Class in Kansas City two years in a row! Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect, the online resource for parenting advice and community, allowed parents to pick the best of their local communities with its Second Annual Parents' Picks Awards. The Elliott Music Studio was of Kansas City's nominees for Best Music Class. The 2009 award winners will be featured on ParentsConnect throughout the year. Thanks again for all the support!

We are progressing nicely on the German Lieder Recital that I have been working on for the past couple months with Don Forsythe and the Raytown Arts Council. We have our accompanist now I hope and are just in search of a viola player. We are looking at an October concert date possibly at my church, One Spirit UMC. I have quite a bit of practice still to do but I love a good challenge and the music is beautiful. It looks like October is going to be a busy concert month because the Cabaret n' Love Concert to benefit the Shepherd Center of Raytown that had to be rescheduled due to a huge snow storm this past February will also be in October. Details to come.

Did you know that August 24th is Strange Music Day? I had no idea either until I found this website called Holidays for Everyday. It's one stop shopping for all the neat and unusual things that people recognize for every day, week or month of the year. So don't forget that August 30th is National Toasted Marshmallow day. I know I'll be having one!

Elliott Music Studio Wins Two Years in a Row!

Check us out! We WON Best Music Class in Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards! Thanks for your support! We couldn't have done it without you.


For Music Class
in Kansas City

Solute to Music Theater Wedding Toast

Okay get your facial tissues ready before watching this weeks music clip. Believe me you will be so touched you will need it. This is truly a magical moment. Enjoy!

Quote of the Week "A long marriage is..."

"A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time."

~Anne Taylor Fleming

From This Moment On

Several years ago I had the privilege of singing "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain at two very different weddings. One was a last minute change of singer because the first one backed out a week before the wedding. I was so happy to help and the Lutheran ceremony was beautiful and went off without a hitch. The other wedding was a labor of love between two people that had divorced and were getting married again to each other for the second time. Not only did I sing at that wedding but I also helped by being the wedding coordinator for the Lutheran church where it was held and were I worked at the time. Maybe this a popular song for Lutheran weddings? I was reminded of this song a week or so ago again thanks to the radio one Sunday afternoon. I still enjoy hearing and singing this beautiful song. Enjoy!

Quote of the Week "Love one another..."

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that."

~Michael Leunig

Wedding Vows to Remember

When I was planning my own wedding, I knew that we were not going to have a traditional wedding and we didn't want one. I wanted our vows to be unique for us and the ceremony to reflect the kind of life we were about to build for ourselves. Being United Methodist we used the UM hymnal's service of marriage as a guide and went from there. I don't feel that anything we chose to include or remove with our pastor's guidance made our service any less appropriate for God and for worship. I feel that it only enhanced it.

As I prepare to celebrate my 5th wedding anniversary later this month, I feel it's important for me to be reminded of our commitment to one another and the vows we chose to exchange on that day. I knew the first time I read the wedding ceremony included in the Conversations with God book series that I wanted to create a life with someone based on these words. (The entire ceremony is in Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 3 by Neale Donald Walsch, pgs. 236 - 241)

I, Emily...ask you, Max...to be my partner, my lover, my friend and my husband... I announce and declare my intention to give you my deepest friendship and love... not only when your moments are high...but when they are low...not only when you remember clearly Who You Are... but when you forget... not only when you are acting with love...but when you are not...I further announce...before God and those here present... that I will seek always to see the Light of Divinity within you...and seek always to share...the Light of Divinity within me...even, and especially... in whatever moments of darkness may come.

It is my intention to be with you forever... in a Holy Partnership of the Soul...That we may do together God's work... sharing all that is good within us... with all those who's lives we touch.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

This video has been a hot topic on the United Methodist Musicians list serv a week or so ago. Our moderator sure knows how to provoke a discussion out of us that's for sure. I haven't put my two cents in yet because I am just not sure what the real problem is regarding the use of secular music and dance in a worship setting. Weddings are the celebration of a union between two people who should be able to include elements of themselves in that celebration. I read that the bride was a dancer and choreographer. That's reason enough to want to include dance in her wedding. I was quite moved by this video. Enjoy!