Dear Friends,

There's so much to tell you this month that I'm not even sure where to begin!

First, I want to give a "plug" for an amazing organisation and time management consultant who, after a very few sessions with me,  has made a real difference in my being able to handle the many varied hats I currently wear. Hazel Thornton of Organized for Life (http://www.org4life.com), is nothing short of amazing. Whether your organisational needs are in the office, the home, or in scheduling your time, she not only has the tools and knowledge but the sincere desire to sort your problems and create a solution unique to your personal situation. Even if you think your particular problem is impossible, I would encourage you to give her services a try. She takes a sincere personal interest in all of her clients, and is dedicated to making their lives simpler and better. Visit her website, or look for her on Facebook and Twitter; although based in Albuquerque, she also offers consultations via telephone and email.

I've just finished a very welcome week-long holiday, spent seeing the sights, doing the tourist shtick, and just plain relaxing with my best friend and long-time composition colleague, lyricist Claire Roth. Our journeys took us all over the Albuquerque landscape, and we rode the train north to spend a day in Santa Fe as well. Sadly all events were cancelled the day we visited the International Balloon Fiesta, but despite numbing temperatures, we had a wonderful time enjoying the carnival atmosphere and exploring the artisans tent.

Although the music appreciation classes at the New Mexico School of Music have been indefinitely postponed, I am currently teaching a keyboard class at the school's northeast campus. OASIS is in full swing, and this month has also found me giving presentations to a lunch-time philosopher's group and at a meeting of the Albuquerque Newcomers. My work for the Sigma Alpha Iota American Composers Bureau has also begun in earnest, as the fraternity prepares for its annual winter magazine which pays tribute to the American composer.

And now, I'm incredibly excited to announce that my new CD is currently being manufactured with a tentative release date of November 1st! This concluding album to the trilogy of CDs I began five years ago is entitled Following My Heart, contains 14 newly-composed tracks, and features several guest artists. If you're following me on MySpace, Facebook or Twitter, watch for the album giveaways taking place over the next two weeks leading up to the album's release.

As always, the album will be available from CDBaby, iTunes worldwide, DigStation, Napster, Rhapsody, and other digital outlets. You can also purchase the albums directly from me at any personal appearance, and/or order them via email. I will happily sign any of the albums ordered through me -  just be sure to give me all of the details at the time you place your orders. Full details will be in the November newsletter, which should hit your inbox on the 1st of the month!

I'm also very pleased to let you know that a very limited run of my 2007 holiday album, Flowers in Winter, will be released at the same time as the new CD. Although the album is still available in digital format, I've had many requests over the past year to re-release the actual CD. If you're interested in getting a copy, please watch for details in the next newsletter. I'm also hoping that Heartstrings by UK composer Glyn Greenslade (a compilation of Glyn's arrangements of my work which also includes one of his brilliant original compositions) will finally be available for digital download at the same time. Being an independent artist may be incredibly challenging - but it's never boring!

Recent performances include my premiere of the piano solo 'Autumn Skies' on October 6th at the Albuquerque Unitarian Fellowship. Fans of KC Cafe Internet Radio (www.kccaferadio.com) can expect both my Christmas album and the new CD Following My Heart to be added to the station's playlist very soon.

Although this information was in my last newsletter, I'd like to mention it one more time: my only physical address at this time is: Jane Ellen, 4744 Trumbull Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108-3551, United States. There is no need to add "in care of" or anyone else's name to the address, as my residence is within the main residence without a separate post box; and yes, Ellen really is my last name. Also, it would be good if you could begin using my Gmail - jane.ellen.music@gmail.com - as I will receive your personal mail more quickly at that address.

If, for any reason, you wish to stop receiving these newsletters, simply reply to any mailing with the word "unsubscribe" written in the subject line. Your wishes will be immediately respected. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, and you wish to join the monthly mailing list, send an email to jane@janeellen.com with the word "subscribe" written in the subject line.

See you in November!

Follow your heart,
Jane