Journey of an Artist

"Lord, thank you for taking me through this journey. Grant me strength as I go through each day. Grant me a cheerful spirit and give me courage to do whatever needs to be done." - Angela Mendoza.
Tony Mendoza was a CFO. His wife, Angela, was an accountant. They were, by self definition, not "creative" people. Yet they created a beautiful life together by choosing to love each other through life's complicated curve balls, honoring the wild journey God had given them, and welcoming three compassionate children into the world. Tony took up the guitar at Angela's suggestion, but he didn't necessarily consider himself a creative person--and certainly not a musician!
Then Angela was diagnosed with cancer, and everything changed.
In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Tony Mendoza to talk about his and Angela's moving love story--from the moment they met to how their love has changed in the wake of Angela's death. Tony shares how Angela's cheerful spirit, persistent grace, and unyielding determination inspired her to share her cancer journey with friends and family through CaringBridge. He also talks about how she survived three incredible years in spite of the doctors' predictions that cancer would take her in six months. He vulnerably explains how Angela's death has challenged him to step more deeply into his creative side, how Angela co-wrote a book with him from beyond, and how their story has become a beautiful song.
To learn more about Angela's journey, please check out her phenomenally touching book, Dear Friends and Family. To help Angela's legacy live on through the students she impacts, you can donate to the scholarship in her name here.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"We live in hope."
Have you ever wondered how you can contribute to the arts if you don't feel like a traditional creative? Can you still make an impact if you're not the one drawing, or painting, or making music?
Dr. Diane Miles says yes.
In this episode, Emmeline sits down with arts advocate Dr. Diane Miles to discuss her career in education, her experience in human resources, and how she's used her skills to uplift and empower artists to step more deeply into their creative truth. They talk in depth about Diane's historical neighborhood in Dallas, the inspiration she drew from her parents, and her personal and managerial relationship with the late, legendary artist, Johnice Ingram Parker.
In Johnice's memory, Diane is now helping to manage the artist's remaining works, using the sales of those works to fund a financial award for up-and-coming artists who need support and encouragement.
To learn more about Johnice Ingram Parker, to purchase her artwork, or to donate to the scholarship fund in her name, please visit her official website. You can also see her work in person at Chocolate Secrets in Dallas through September 2022.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"Every year I lean more and more into the fact that I'm not like everyone else." - Amber LaFrance
In this episode, Emmeline sits down with public relations representative, radio DJ, and president of Culture Hype, Amber LaFrance. Amber earned her degree in business from Texas State in San Marcos, then got her start with Juice Consulting in Austin, TX. Upon moving back to Dallas, Amber combined her love for music with her enthusiasm for fashion to provide an unparalleled publicity machine, amplifying brands in publications like Forbes, The New York Times, Texas Monthly, Refinery29, Wired, and more. Amber and Emmeline talk about staying true to your instincts, trusting the unconventional path, and allowing your quirks to be your superpower. They also swap hilarious stories about their experiences in marketing and radio.
To continue to follow Amber's journey, find her on Instagram at @amberlafrance. To learn more about Amber's company, Culture Hype, visit their official website or find them on Instagram at @culture_hype. You can hear Amber's new show, Woman Crush Wednesday, on Deep Ellum Radio at 11 AM CST on Wednesdays.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"You can always reinvent yourself." - Veronica Young
In this episode, Emmeline sits down with Deep Ellum Community Association board member and Dallas/Fort Worth radio veteran Veronica Young to talk about Veronica's unconventional path to success as an emcee and radio personality. Veronica shares her lifelong passion for local music, her enthusiasm for live music, her conviction that all of the best talent resides in the DFW area, and how her extroverted nature creates opportunities for her to promote the art about which she cares so deeply. They also talk about the gifts to be found in the pandemic, the challenges of a career in entertainment, and Veronica's journey from party-going host of Hungover with V to sober host of The Veronica Young Show.
To learn more about Veronica Young, or to follow her journey, follow @theveronicayoungshow on Instagram. You can also listen to her new show, The Veronica Young Show, live on Deep Ellum Radio every Thursday night at 8 PM Central, right after Journey of a Song.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.

"How you do anything is how you do everything."
Have you ever wanted to learn an instrument? Did you start learning? Did you immediately start to wonder why playing an instrument is so hard?
This is your episode!
In this episode of Journey of an Artist, Emmeline sits down with YouTube star and fellow pianist, Marina from The Piano Keys, to talk about why it matters not just that you practice your instrument, but how you practice your instrument. They talk about traditional music education versus effective music education, the importance of music theory, and why music should be fun! Marina also shares some of the tips from her new book, Practice Makes Permanent: The Busy Pianist's Guide to Getting the Best Results in the Shortest Time.
Music doesn't have to be a chore--but it certainly can be. Give this episode a listen to find out how you can bring the joy back to your practicing sessions. Plus, find out how Marina built a business with her musical knowledge--and how she continues to expand her empire.
To learn more about Marina from The Piano Keys, or to access her online courses, visit her official website. You can also check out her new book, her YouTube page, and her sheet music.

For behind-the-scenes information and more about Journey of an Artist, visit the Journey of Series official webpage, or follow Emmeline on social media at @EmmelineMusic.