Lizzie
Bio
“The journey West shared was perhaps what anyone looking for freedom, love and self might experience, but she has a uniquely effortless, and charming, way of telling the tale.” – LA Times
Having sold more than 30,000 copies of her musical works, Lizzie West has a broad fan base for her poetry and songs. West is not only a songwriter and a performer, she has acted in the role of producer, playwright, and activist. After the 2003 Warner Bros release of her album, “Holy Road: Freedom Songs,” AOL and Entertainment Weekly both named West “Breaker Artist of the Year.”
The NY Times said, “Her work is rooted and comfortable, but her songs have a restless promise.” West’s composition was featured in the film Secretary (starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhall), and in TV shows such as, The L Word, Dawson’s Creek, Alias, and Third Watch. Her music has also been featured on radio programs such as Democracy Now!, commercial AAA, many local NPR affiliates, and college radio. West was featured singing her original song, “Holy Road,” in a national TV ad campaign directed by Spike Lee. She has performed the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden, toured as an opener for artists such artists as Chris Isaak and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and such speakers as Amy Goodman and former chief UN Weapons Inspector, Scott Ritter. Lizzie has headlined several of her own national tours.
Lizzie West was born in NYC, July 21st, 1973; daughter of Louise Westergaard, a Broadway producer of Musical Theater and John Westergaard, a financial analyst. While Lizzie was still in the womb, her mother collaborated with legendary mythologist, educator and author, Joseph Campbell. In early childhood, Louise read her William Blake and T.S. Elliot. Lizzie began writing poetry, melodies, and stories as soon as she could form words on paper. As a child, she entertained crowds of Broadway theater creators at her parent’s cocktail parties, including such legends as Charlie Strauss, Cy Coleman, James Earle Jones, and Gregory Hines. West was educated at the Chapin School, the Millbrook School, Hampshire College, and NYU. She has driven across America 16 times. She is currently working to complete the first book of the Re*Membering Now Series, The Myth of The Golden Thread.
Songwriter
Lizzie West has been a prolific songwriter, blending blues, folk, jazz, pop, gospel, country, ragtime and show tunes for over a decade. She continues to write infectious melodies and touching lyrics. Lizzie will consider song commissions on a project by project basis.
Feel free to browse the Song Catalog and enjoy exploring the wide range of her music and lyrics. Download your favorites at CD Baby, iTunes and other online music stores. Lizzie’s body of work is large and ever expanding so please keep checking back as we continue to update the Song Catalog.
Author
Lizzie West is the author of plays, short stories, children’s books and poetry. She is currently completing Book One of her Fantasy Series, Re*Membering Now. Check back here as her written word becomes published and available for download. In the meantime, you can stay in touch with Lizzie at her blog, Traveling the Holy Road.
Teacher
In 2009-2010, Lizzie will be teaching a limited amount of workshops and offering counseling on the following subjects:
The Art of Creating The Reality
The Craft of Songwriting
Poetry and Storytelling
Discovering Your True Voice
Celebrating a Happy Marriage
Workshops can be tailored for children (4-11), Young Adults (12-17) or adults (18 +) Sessions are limited to one hour a week and can be experienced in person, or on line through Skype video Chat. Lizzie’s teaching and counseling fees are offered on a sliding scale basis. Groups can be formed but should not exceed more than 5 people. To receive a detailed outline of each workshop, a price structure and to apply for your one on one guidance with Lizzie,
please e-mail: workshops@lizzieandbaba.com
