Berlin's Elizabeth Porter Made A Leap Of Faith And Hasn't Looked Back

Elizabeth Porter has been singing as long as she can remember. When it came time to really reach for her goals and dreams of being a singer-songwriter, she quit her job in Connecticut and moved to Nashville. 

Though her schedule is crazy and it has been hard, she has never looked back. 

"I have been singing since I can remember and was always involved in various choirs," Porter said from her Nashville home. "In high school I competed with the school choir and would travel to Toronto every year for the North America choir competitions. 

"I sang my first solo at Mooreland Hill School in middle school. I got my first guitar at 15 years old and originally thought I was a terrible guitar player, but soon realized I was much better playing the guitar upside down. This began a lifelong obsession with finding lefthanded (southpaw) guitars. My grandfather encouraged me to start writing music when I was in my early teens and he would sit and have me sing my songs to him for hours. The last time I saw my grandfather (my dads dad) before he passed, he had me sing to him for almost three hours." 

Porter went to Berlin High School briefly but transferred to a school in New York that focused on music. She graduated in 2001 and received a scholarship to Kent State University. 

"I was in a rush to finish college (graduating in 3 years), knowing the sooner I got my education, the sooner I could dedicate my time to music," she said. "I received my masters degree from Northeastern in 2007 and got my license in Counseling Psychology." 

Porter says her love of family came from being immersed in it around her house. 

"My love of music came from my family, although none of them ever pursued music, there was always a love for it," Porter said. "From my father singing Peter, Paul, and Mary to me, my mother dancing in the kitchen to early nineties country, and my grandfather teaching me old sailor songs. I was a fairly shy child, but music spoke to me and it was a way I could speak to the world. The more I got on stage, the more the shyness melted away. My early gigs were mainly in Boston. I played everywhere from bars, coffee shops, a ski resort for a while, weddings, and private events. Like most people, life has given me ups and downs, but music has always been my therapy."

Porter, 31, remembers clearly when and how she made the leap to move to Nashville. Her family was supportive but surprised. 

"I had always wanted to move to Nashville, but making the move is scary," she said. "Two years ago I was on the phone with my mother and suddenly decided to take the leap. I had been living in CT and although I enjoyed being close to family, something was missing. I walked back into my office and gave my four weeks notice (I was a emergency services clinician at the time). I remember calling my father to tell him I quit my job and was moving to Nashville. I had always been responsible and with a tough economy, I knew he would think I lost my mind. When I told him I quit my job, his immediate response was, 'can you get it back?' 

"I was so scared, but looking back now, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I had no job in Nashville, no money saved up, didn't know anyone, and had no place to live. It's amazing how determined you can become when everything is on the line."

Within a month, she had a full time management position in the psychology field and a second job as an entertainment manager for a music venue downtown (The Judge's Vinegarroon). She still works both jobs as well as performing and working on her own music. She bought a house in the city almost a year ago and enjoys working on it with any free time she has. Of course she plays music often and is looking to record her third CD this winter. She is also a member of the Women's Music Business Association in Nashville and spends time participating in organization events.

"I play every Sunday at The Judge's Vinegarroon and work on the weekends writing music and spending time with my friends and beloved dog Jericho," Porter said. "Although my psychology career can sometimes take time away from music, I have found a way to balance both (usually with lots of coffee). I feel the benefit is I am able enjoy my music career and have a comfort with a solid backup plan. There is a lot going on in Nashville and I always try to find time to enjoy the shows going on around town."

So now that she has made the move, what are the short term and long term goals for Porter?

"My ultimate dream would be to make a big enough impact with my music career and open a music school for underprivileged children," she said. "I would then utilize both the psychology and musical skills. It's not a save the world kind of dream, but rather a goal of leaving one massive footprint that may help others along the way. Like many musicians in Nashville, there is hope to find yourself one day playing at the Grand Ole Opry. My short term goal is to record a new CD in the next six months." 

How can people hear her music?

• Her new music website is www.elizabethportermusic.com
• Her facebook is under Elizabeth Porter
• Her music facebook is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Porter/104380679676528 
• Music can be heard at http://www.reverbnation.com/elizabethporter