Does anyone else get in a manic work-mode from time to time? 

I wake up. Pee. Get coffee. & Then get to working. Until it's time to repeat the whole process. 

Thankfully, I've got the assistance of Kristin and Alicia on a couple days a week. They're helping me ride this manic work-mode a little longer. I'm so gratefu…

Summer

Continuing with the Annual Review, Summer was one of the best. But again, one of the hardest. 

I was coming out of my artistic retreat, returning to "life-as-normal."

It was a jolt to be sure. Financially, I was looking for a day job. Rent had to get paid.

While at The Guild, I noticed that all my strength and energy had previously been spent on keeping myself afloat via teaching a full-time studio of students, etc. I was able to set aside my ego in order to get the sometimes dreaded …

For the last 7 years I've done what I call an "Annual Review."

I've done it so many times now, I've got it down to a ceremony of sorts. It takes after Chris Gillebeau's version, but with it's own Emily-twist.

It's kinda involved.

I basically look at my entire year financially, relationally, time-wise, artistically, etc. I get out old receipts, look through the whole calendar, scan through emails, and more... 

All the while, I'm asking myself...

"What went well? & What didn't go so well?"

T…

When growing up a teenager in Texas, there was this precociously outspoken little 5-year-old neighbor-girl that would invite herself over for early/first dinners at our house.

I loved that kid.

And she loved butter.

She would spread butter on bread like it was humanity's last chance to butter bread.

It was beautiful. Generous. & oh so messy. 

And she seemed totally oblivious to the looks of horror from the adults in the room...

Ira Glass said it best...

"Nobody tells this to people who ar…

I'm so excited! 

On December 20th, only 2 days from now, my ambient cello music project called Cello Yoga releases it's first studio album...

Ebb & Flow is a 90-minute exploration of water's movement, 8 tracks of delicious cello-ness matching the rise and fall of a yoga class.

For the past couple years, I've been playing cello and composing live in yoga classes. It's been such an enriching experience for me. I learn something about music, something about bodies, and some…

Yesterday, I read this article by Mark Manson.

He's encouraging readers to live by The Law of "Fuck Yes or No." (I highly suggest that you read it.)

"The Law of “Fuck Yes or No” states that when you want to get involved with someone new, in whatever capacity, they must inspire you to say “Fuck Yes” in order for you to proceed with them.

The Law of “Fuck Yes or No” also states that when you want to get involved with someone new, in whatever capacity, THEY must respond with a “Fuck Yes” in o…

My Goal for 2015: house shows all across the US. 

House concerts (aka Living Room Shows) are the single best way I can think of to create the kind of experience I wish for my audiences. Intimacy, connection, authenticity, and community.

& I'm partnering with Fanswell.com to make it all happen!

They've got a great thing going and have made it really easy for YOU and potential hosts to throw a concert with really fabulous musicians, like myself. ;)

I already know a lot of people across the U…

I released my debut EP last week. Yay!

I managed to catch a brutal head cold this weekend. I could feel it coming on the second I walked off the stage from my performance with Stephanie Anne Johnson's new band, Northern Pacific. (It's courteous to wait til all other members of the band have left the venue, but I could tell I wasn't gonna be able to make that happen. I had to leave.)

My body knows what's up.

& I'm grateful it knows when to get sick. (Read: "force me to rest.")

I always get si…

Warning: If you have an artist-friend, your normal conversations might eventually turn into a piece of art.

One evening a friend and I were sipping on some fantastic drinks at one of my favorite bars in Tacoma. (Hilltop Kitchen for the win!) 

Listen, I don’t play favorites with my cello students, but if their mom gives me homemade mac & cheese and takes me out to happy hour occasionally, you won't hear me complain. ;)

On a weekly basis over the two previous years, this cello-mom-turned-friend…

On Being a Solo Artist With Internal Feedback Loops...

Have you ever wanted to just shake someone to get answer out of them?

In the recording process, there's a moment when the song finishes...

It feels like the moment right after you jump off a cliff - no gravity, pit-in-stomach, an "Am-I-gonna-die?" feeling.  

It lasts half a second. 

I find my breath again. 

and then look up. 

I'm usually asking about the tangible product. "Was that total crap? or a keeper? Should I do the same thing a…