Jane Ellen

Jane Ellen is an active composer, performer, and recording artist, with four CDs and over 50 print publications to her credit. Currently living in the southwestern US, she holds a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of New Mexico and received permanent Professional Masters certification from the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in Washington, DC after completing 15 hours towards a M.M. degree in composition.

Her first album, 'From My Heart', released in 2004, began a trilogy of albums, and was followed by 'Seasons of the Heart' in 2006, and most recently, by 'Following My Heart' in 2009. Additionally, in 2007 she released 'Flowers in Winter', a holiday themed CD, and twice has had her work appear on other albums: one, as part of a charity compilation, and again as arrangements by composer Glyn Greenslade on his album 'Heartstrings'.

In 2009 Jane received her 20th consecutive annual award from ASCAP, and she also served for a decade as National Director of the SAI American Composers Bureau. She has won several national competitions for composition and has received numerous commissions over the years, including one for a hymn in honour of St Josephine Bakhita, 'Lead Us To Christ Jesus'. Her catalogue to date includes works for chamber ensemble, solo instruments, choir and keyboard, school, and church. Her biography has been listed in several editions of Marquis's 'Who's Who'.

Jane's film credits include composing a piece for the soundtrack to the 2008 German film 'Ekkelins Knecht' and the theme for the documentary 'The Man Who Lost the Civil War' (2002). Most recently, two of her works appear in the soundtrack to the 2010 HS Maju Productions film 'Lukisan Hati'. Her radio work includes the soundtrack for two radio productions written and produced by Chris Dale; and for six years Jane collaborated on scripts for the national award-winning children's radio program 'Boombox Classroom'. Passionate about theatre, Jane has collaborated with playwrights Christina Hamlett and Kathleen Matthews on several projects and works frequently in collaboration with lyricist Claire Roth.

An avid history buff, Jane is a popular lecturer who spends much of her time researching and presenting programs on a wide variety of her favourite topics. When not engaged in musical pursuits, teaching keyboard, or giving lectures, she enjoys classic mystery novels, following the cricket, and watching new and old 'Doctor Who'.