I have always been an artist by nature but I never planned that it would come forth through music primarily. I was the scrawny kid with glasses, writing stories and poems who always needed to lug a giant sketchbook around. I started as an art major in college but life took me other places and I’m so grateful for that. 

I always felt like I needed to use my “voice”, I never imagined it would be so literal! Whether it’s through my band, SHINEBRIGHT (also known as Shine Bright Baby) or some of my other fun projects like soli or Emily Irene Fertig, I am floored to have the opportunity to create music that gets to live in the wild. 

I’ve also spent a lot of time worship leading. I love the church and have had the chance to pastor and lead in so many amazing church contexts. I believe worship is formative to our spiritual lives and leading fills me with so much joy and peace. Jesus is just so good. 

I actually love theology too and I am currently in seminary! More than theology, I love people and I think good theology in practice helps us love people well. 

I find myself at home in many places. Born and raised in rural Ohio, traveled the world, lived in Nashville, Tennessee, and for the last five years in the desert of the southwest. I’ve not gotten tired of mountains and sunshine yet!

My husband Nathan and I have been together since high school (cue the “awwww”) and we have one son, Miles, who is the light of our lives. I’ve worn a lot of metaphorical hats (and hairstyles!)  in my time, all of them dear to me in different ways. These days, I mostly wear the mom hat, spending my days with a goofy 4-year-old. 

The older I get the more I realize that my superpower is giving language and expression to the things of life; especially the hard things, but also the really deeply good things. I am following that feeling and am curious to see where it leads me next. Let’s find out together!