Judith Ellis received a bachelors and masters from the University of Michigan in music and completed her PhD course work in an interdisciplinary literature, philosophy, and religion program at Wayne State University. She began singing at the age of 12 when an aria was composed for her by Karen DiChiera whose then husband, David DiChiera, founded the Michigan Opera Theater. In high school Judith performed David’s song cycle set to the poetry of Edna St. V incent Millay and from there began studying her poetry. As a freshman in college, she met Gwendolyn Brooks at a reading. Overcome with the reading, Judith could not speak after standing in the long queue to meet her. Tears flowed. Brooks wrote her home address, handing it to her and saying, “Write me.” A wonderful correspondence ensued. Judith is the author of two novels and thousands of poems and short stories. She is passionate about teaching. She taught English and business communication at Oakland County Community College and designed educational and music curricula for recreation centers throughout the City of Detroit. She has not forsaken music. Her latest performance was a summer jazz series at the Detroit Opera House. Judith has been a serial entrepreneur for many years. She looks forward to being a teaching assistant and to learning from her students.