Standing up and singing on a restaurant table at the age of four was the beginning of my journey as an entertainer. Since then, I've always known deep down that I wanted to be a performer. However, it wasn't until my mid-teens that I discovered my true passion for music and public speaking.

Growing up, severe and relentless school bullying was a daily struggle. Being made fun of, getting called mean names, and being continuously left out are only a few of the unfortunate things that led to the destruction of my confidence and self-esteem.

I would always ask myself 'why me?' I didn't understand why I wasn't good enough. I dreaded going to school, I was so afraid of what would happen next, and by the end of the day I usually found myself crying.

The bullying turned into a vicious cycle that I thought I would never escape.

After I was punched in the face, I realized things needed to change. Despite the overwhelming hard times and an ongoing battle with ADHD, autism, depression, and an anxiety disorder, I refused to accept defeat and eventually gained the strength to pull through; only becoming more driven than ever to rise above it all.

I found myself turning to music. I would pick up the guitar we had at my house, and I'd start strumming while scribbling my feelings and thoughts down in notebooks. I realized that music was my outlet, it is what makes me happy. Writing and performing is what I love to do, and nothing or no one can take that away from me anymore.

I know how alone, misunderstood, and hurt I felt when I was being bullied, and I also know that there are thousands of others feeling the exact same way I did. No one deserves to feel that way.

Ten years and 750 schools later, I've been able to directly impact over 175,000+ students and 10,000+ educators across the country.

I want to be the inspiration to young people that I feel like I didn’t have while I was growing up. Representation is so important and as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community I hope that I can be someone that youth look up to. I hope that they feel seen, heard, and understood by my story and songs. I will continue to advocate for the world to be a kind, safe, and inclusive place that is full of acceptance and love.

Follow your dreams and surround yourself with people who are going to support your dreams, people who care about you, and accept you for who you are. Don't let people or things bring you down because it is not worth it!

I've learned that it's good to be different and it’s okay not to be okay. Yes, I have some really bad days, but I also have really good days, and those good days are the days worth fighting for. Positivity is key and so is self-love. I have the strength inside of me to get through absolutely anything, and so do you - never give up!

love,

Elsie <3