Today, for the "Women's History Month" celebration, I would like to introduce this amazing woman.

Meet Ellie Osborn, 49, mother of 2, professional musician, performer, composer, business owner, and teacher.

"A good song makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you think." - Pete Seeger

" I lived on a 44' sailboat with my parents and 2 brothers when I was 10 and 11 years old. I had to share a berth with my cello, which was cramped and the only space to practice on the boat was the companionway stairs. I have been privileged to travel to Argentina, Panama, Peru, Mexico, Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, The Philippines, China, and  I guess I should say, I started out in New England, and now I feel at home in the world." 

Ellie, founded the Little Music Maker business in 2004 with the mission of helping parents bond with their children through music and movement. "Miss Ellie" has 27 years teaching experience and 45 years performing experience. She teaches songs through movement and repetition, using puppets, props, finger play, games, poses, dances, percussion instruments, guitar, ukulele, cello, recorder, harmonica and more for a super fun, active and engaging experience. Some of the many benefits to the babies include enhanced bonding with the parent, healthy immune and digestive systems, socialization with other babies, language acquisition and other important cognitive stimulation. Benefits to the parents include increased physical and emotional strength, stronger bonds with their babies, a repertoire of songs to use for many different parenting situations and lasting connections with a community of other parents in a similar stage of life. Ellie credits the Powers Music School of Belmont, MA and her own two children for influencing her class format. She offers private and semi-private lessons in beginning cello, guitar, ukulele, piano, recorder, percussion, and voice in addition to her baby and toddler music classes. Ellie believes in life-long learning and just completed a certification program in Sound Healing at Shiloh Farm and is taking tap dancing lessons at age 49!

Ellie was introduced to the violin-cello at age 7 by renowned musicians, Wu Han and David Finkle and studied in New York City and at the Rennes Conservatory of Music in France. She has science and teaching degrees from Wellesley College and serves on the President's Council for The Portland Symphony Orchestra's Board of Trustees. She has performed with Singer-songwriters, Sorcha, Doug Farrell, Elli Lisa, Monique Barrett, and with the Choral Art Society Singers. She has shared the stage and harmonized with the late Pete Seeger, and with Dar Williams, Rick Charette, Christine Lavin, Paul Winter, Cid Bullins, Joe Boucher, Samuel James, Jenny Van-West, Sara Hallie Richardson, Joe Walsh, and The Portland Symphony Orchestra. 

Ellie has appeared at Thompson's Point and soloed at Carnegie Hall! She sings on an album of Pete Seeger's called PETE, the charity album To the Moon To the Stars, which you can find on Apple Music, and has recorded several of her own: Ten Steps, Warm Milk, Christmas at the Cathedral with Choral Art, Feel You Better, and Ellie and Friends Live! Her record, Glass Half Full, was produced with The Woodshed Mystics and she recorded an album with An Overnight Low called Holy Head and was released in October, 2023. She sings with the Saco First Parish Choir, and performs for Fish Moon Yoga, various Preschools, Portland Public PreK, and for Senior Living Facilities. She performs solo and with the bands Piano Men, The Honeybees, US4, the Ocean Park Ukesters, and her all female band, Where's Alice?, and is the lead singer for All Together Now, a Beatles Cover Band.

Life challenges?

A few childhood traumas and a trauma in college, then 2 miscarriages, and 2 divorces. I would say I have NOT overcome them, but I've learned to live with them in a way where I can still be of service and feel useful to the world. I am an active part of a Recovery Community, see a Behavioral Therapist, receive Reiche and Massage therapy, do cold plunges, exercise, do yoga, meditation and prayer, and sing in a church choir. And of-course, the process of writing and recording music is extremely therapeutic for me!

Life achievements? 

I would have to say having my son and adopting my daughter from China are absolutely highest on the list. Second would be my Feel You Better album, which helped me grieve and transition after my first divorce. An added and unexpected bonus is that in the 10 years since its release, it has helped many people navigate illness or other life challenges.

What are your passions? 

Singing, games, being goofy, making people laugh, early childhood development and early bonds, mindful parenting, languages, travel, outdoor education, small class sizes, mountain biking, skating, watching my children enjoying life and each other, just to name a few.

What do you value most in life? 

Connection, collaboration, the power of music, friendship, being present for children,  caring for the elderly, and peaceful discourse. One of my absolute favorite things that I get to do is teach a baby and toddler music class in a nursing home where the residents can observe and/or participate. It's an incredibly moving model. The first year that I was doing it, I don't think I ever left a class without crying. What I want for my children and ALL of my students, is for them to develop solid self-esteem and get to experience the joy of music, art, and nature for as long (or as short) as they are on this planet.  I think because of my athletic background, I learned to value teamwork. I'm essentially a "one-woman show", but I know that it's a farce to think I can do anything by myself. My best friend nailed it when she admitted, "I need a team to raise my children, a team to work out, a team to stay emotionally sober...". So of-course, I have to acknowledge that I need a team to create and share music, and not because I'm an extreme extrovert.

Advice for other women?

1. Love what you do! And do what you love if you can! I know I am lucky that I get to do what I love. There's no other profession I could have where it would be cool to be so good at animal sounds! I sometimes get requests for my elephant or pig noises, which makes me feel so happy that I developed those "useless" skills! 

2. You don't have to make a difference on a huge scale. If you can, more power to you. Remember the slogan, "think globally, act locally."? I am making an impact for a handful of families, students, and seniors, but it's on a pretty small scale and most days, I can be fine with that.

3. "Do the Hokey Pokey, and turn yourself around. That's what it's all about!"  Enthusiasm goes a long way! Oftentimes, more than skill!