I started playing piano in third grade. A friend came over and played me a few songs, and taught me how to play one. I was so ecstatic! I told my parents I really wanted to learn how to play, so they hired the church pianist to teach me. She was wonderful! I learned the basics of piano, and how to laugh at myself when I made mistakes. When she moved to Alaska, I had a new teacher. I learned even more technique, including how to memorize several songs. Each summer she had a competition to see which students could memorize the most songs. The prize was a bust of a famous classical composer. That challenge was all I needed! I dove into the music, played hard, and won every year.
Then, as a teenager, I had a new piano teacher. She was rigorous and strict, pushing me to always play at my best. I loved her, I hated her. I appreciated how she knew how to push me, I learned so much. This was a time that I was most involved in music, playing at church, as the accompaniment in the choirs at school, and in competitions with my piano teacher. At this point, I found solace and peace when playing the piano, I found myself – and made it a priority in my life.
The teenage rebellion showed up around the age of 13. After so many years of classically trained piano lessons, I yearned for more freedom and expression in music. I decided that if I wrote my own music, then my teacher couldn’t tell me how to play it – because it was my own creation. So I started composing. Once she heard my songs, she said, “oh, this is what you like?” and brought me music by David Lanz. I fell in love with new age music! Yes, this is the music I want to play! I continued writing music over the years, honing my skills, nurturing my creativity, my own collection building. When asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said, “maybe a doctor – I want to help people be well.” The response I got was, “music is healing.”
At age 19, I played piano at local churches during my lunch break at work since I didn’t own my own piano. I turned down several offers to play for others, I somehow felt like playing my music was too vulnerable. This went on for almost ten years. The struggle to feel safe with my music, and yet feeling a pull, a drive to share what was inside. At age 28, I went to massage school, yearning to touch others lives in a positive way. Music kept knocking at my heart’s door. In the middle of the program, I entered a harrowing time: personal relationship issues, a painful flare up of Crohn’s (an autoimmune condition), full time work, and finals. So I returned to music. And found healing. By the time I graduated massage school, I had moved four times, Crohn’s was gone, I had met David Lanz (a legendary solo piano composer), and found my recording studio, (referred to me by David Lanz) Piano Haven in Seattle. I embarked on my secret dream I’d had for years: record my own piano CD.
My first album “Shining True” was released in November 2010, and is available on iTunes, Whisperings, Spotify, SkyFm, LastFM, Rhapsody, Solopiano.com, Rdio, iHeart radio, and Pandora (make your Amy Janelle Station by clicking HERE). I have sheet music available for download. Zone Music Reporter nominated this album for “New Artist of the Year.”
I moved to Sedona, Arizona in 2012. I continued composing lots of new music. My second album, “A New Direction” was released in January 2014. All of my adventures, challenges, and celebrations have been recorded into music. Whisperings Solo Piano Radio nominated this album for “Album of the Year!” Also, I was thrilled to perform in a concert with David Lanz in 2015 – my childhood inspiration!
Since then, I have three beautiful children and continue writing music. I feel honored to be able to create music, and to have such a loving family. I have released four new singles – take a listen! Stay tuned for information on when my third album will be available. 🙂
I’m so grateful for all the connections I’ve made, for the healing I’ve found, and feel drawn to share this with you. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy what you hear, and find deep healing in your own life.
Much love and many blessings,
~ Amy Janelle
Thank you for this inspiring music. I love listening to pianos. The sound of a piano relaxes me and helps when words from many inspiring songs are simply not enough or just too much. I am not a musician by any chance but your pieces have definitely uplifted me and brought peace.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoy it!
Hi Amy
It’s a sunny Sunday afternoon in Atlantic Beach, Florida…and I’m in the house and put on Pandora while I did some “house-ish” things. I found your music and checked out your website…and will return to my house chores…possible songwriting and piano stuff too…but, I first had to stop and write to you.
When I read the ABOUT you… I flipped… as I felt I was reading my own bio…all except for the illness and marriage heartache…but, your story about learning piano, finding your way…finding healing…all reminded me of my own life. I initially went to Hope College to study Music Therapy…(long story)
I am liking your music dear…and will listen more and see what my massage therapy music stash may need to make room for. …
Keep on making music and healing others as you do.
Rachel Kamps
Wow, thank you so much for telling me! I love to hear about how music has healed others, too!
Read your story. May the heavens always show you the way. Thank you.
Thank you! Thank you for listening to my music!
Amy
I loved reading your story about your experiences growing up and how you have come into your own expressing yourself through music! New Age music has such a unique way of expressing nature and emotion that I enjoy. During the 1990’s I was a huge Yanni and Shardad Rohani fan.
When I was 50, I started taking piano lessons just for a hobby. I enjoyed playing so much that I decided to trade in my digital grand piano for a fine acoustical grand piano. Two years ago a new Shigeru Kawai SK-2 was delivered to my home. I noticed on your U-Tube performance you were playing a SK-7…”Enchantment” was fabulous!
Now I’m 63, although I consider myself still a novice but I learned to play Shardad’s,”Connie’s Butterfly” which is somewhat advanced. Although I can play songs from many genres, I would like to expand my repertoire of New Age. Do you offer a book of your songs that I could purchase?
Sincerely,
Jeff Mauldin
Albuquerque, NM
PS. You may consider visiting New Mexico some day because it much different than Seattle. It is possible that you would get an inspiration for a song about this amazing Land of Enchantment!
Thank you for reaching out! Yes, I have all of my music available as pdfs and in book form. I have heard from many people about New Mexico being wonderful, and plan to visit someday!
How come my heart breaks
every time I hear the first notes of “peaks of red”
God bless you my wonderful lady!
I’m glad you enjoy my music! Thank you!
Hi Amy
I have really enjoyed listening to your music when I chanced upon the Whisperings on-line radio station. I enjoyed your web page write up as it gives me inspiration to go back to writing music again. I had a CD produced but never released it of piano solo music that I had written over the past 20 years. I still teach part time at my home studio, and play for special event functions in the community. Listening to your playing has re-energized my focus to play and write again. Thank you for your music.
Thank you so much for telling me! I’m so glad you will return to playing and writing again. It’s definitely fulfilling to create – especially music!
I was first introduced to your music by Philip Wesley, who coincidentally, happens to live in my county, Davidson, which as I’m sure you are aware, lies in middle Tennessee. I’ve been a new age buff for the past 20 or so years starting with Yanni. I own over 10 of his CD’s. Then I discovered such new age artists as Kitaro and Sayama.
However, I became a piano enthusiast when I was introduced to Karen Marie Garrett, who plays piano jazz, through Pandora. I later fell in love with Brian Crain’s “Piano and Violin Duet,” through Spotify. I am also very much enjoy his “Piano and Cello” CD. I was introduced to Philip Wesley through Spotify as well. I now own all of his CD’s.
My sister, Faye, drove me crazy with her piano lessons as a youngster. I never dreamed I would become a piano enthusiast myself. I usually buy the pianist CD’s, and then make her a copy as she is disabled.
We are anxiously awaiting Philip’s Knoxville recital of July 15. I have never been afforded the pleasure of being a part of a recital, and to the best of my knowledge, neither has she.
Philip also introduced me to Joe Bongiorno, to whom I also “adore.” I’ve been listening to your and Joe’s CD’s through Spotify saving my money to purchase them. I hope you come to Tennessee for a recital some day.
Best,
Jim Byler
Thank so much for your message, and for listening to my music! I would definitely like to visit Tennessee and perform there again someday! Hopefully you signed up for my newsletter so you will be notified when I’m performing in that area. 🙂
That was an awesome story. I used to be into george winston back when he
first became well known. I drifted away from piano music for about the last 25
years. Recently we purchased a 125 year old piano at goodwill because my
Wife used to play, and she wanted to play again.
Long story short. I decided I wanted to learn the piano, so I looked online
for lessons on the web, and that was when I began to discover the present day
new age players such as yourself. I fell in love with the music of Joe Bongiorno
And David Nevuu and especially yours.
I love your sound and your stile and Im going to keep up with your music.
thanks for your music.
I hope to see you at a concert some day.
im in Port orchard Wa.
Thank so much for your kind words about my music! You made my day! I visit Washington often, hopefully you signed up for my newsletter so you will be notified when I’m performing in that area. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your beautiful music with us. I would love to learn to play your compositions(it will be in my wish list:) I play piano as a hobby, never to be hired by Nordstrom or even Target if they have a piano in the store:) I smiled when I read about your rebellion. Like you, I just did not see a connection to Mozart, et. al. (I love them all, symphonies and classical pianists do them justice, but not I:) My instructor told me once that Bach was getting restless in his grave when I play him, but she told me “Play it however your heart tells you. Composers give you music and melody and you express it in your own way…just play and smile while you play!”
A couple of years ago, I discovered the music of David Nevue, and my love for playing came back. I am not a virtuoso by any way, shape or form but I love “new age” piano and it gives me calm to play it. I love, love your “Elder Tree”; hopefully the music sheet will be available in the future. I will be listening more to your music and when I have built confidence, try to learn to play the more intricate ones.
Again, thank you for your gift to us of your talent. You are wonderful and your music is exquisite.
Most sincerely!
Wow, thank you so much! I’m so touched that you enjoy my music! Yes, the sheet music for Elder Tree is now available. That song is special to me, too! Again, thank you, you made my day!
Dear Amy,
my name is Jörg (the other 2 names above are more or less the same, just without special character, or as usual in other countries), I’m 45 years young and from Germany (so no native speaker).
The first time I heard your music was on the Piano Haven Youtube channel, and I was so.. I don’t know if impressed is the right word here, as your music is so heartwarming.
I really love this/your kind of music.
So I had a look at your website and your bio, and I’m glad that you’ve found healing in your music, and more that you’re now sharing your music with us.
If you’d ever make it to Germany I’d be honored to get the chance to listen to your concert.
I wish you all the best for your future.
Best regards
Jörg
Thank you so much for your message! I’m touched that you enjoy my music. I would love to perform in Germany someday! Hopefully you signed up for my newsletter so you will be notified when I perform there. 🙂
hello
my name is amir . i am so exited when i listen to your last album . it was so emotional and full of energy . i’m trying to learn piano so hard and i wish , oneday i write my own music . music is only way for me in this land to connect with other people truely and honestly . and the best way to get freedom and peace. your songs are full of peace.i love them and thank u so much for everything.i wish ‘ one day i could see u and talk about the music and music… .
moments are changing and notes are playing … life can be better with the music really… music is healing …
have a great time
your fans’ amir
from iran.
I so appreciate your kindness! I love how music is so easy to relate to, for all of us! It’s a wonderful to feel connected. Thank you for making my day!
your album ‘new direction’ gave me a target , gave me new life , that was wonderful and lovely . thank you very much 🙂 :-X :-)))
I’m so happy that you resonated with that album! Thank you for sharing that withe me!
Hi Amy,
Several years ago my family and I met you in the LA area at one of your concerts. We remembered that you told of how you overcame or controlled your Crohn’s. The 14 year old son of our friends has recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s and is taking traditional medications to control the condition, but it is not working well and makes him not feel well. Is there any knowledge you can share about how you dealt with Crohn’s?
Best wishes,
David
wonderful music, wonderful piano sound resonance. Have a wonderful day.
Sincerely your.
Thanks so much! Have a beautiful day!
Goodmorning
my name is Giuseppe D’angelo, i’m an italian composer, can i send you a my composition for solo piano? i would be pleased to know what do you think about
thanks and have a good day
Hello! Thank you for your message! Sure, I am happy to take a look at your composition! Have a beautiful day!
Thanks in support of sharing such a nice idea, piece of writing is wonderful!
Thank you so much! 🙂