EMay – the moniker for multi-disciplinary artist Erika May – is not afraid of much. A songwriter, beekeeper, snake-charmer and fire-dancer who had jumped out of airplanes and skiied triple-black pistes, she regularly performs in front of thousands of people.

EMAY IS A MUSICIAN

EMay is a performing and recording artist who writes and collaborates and covers the greats. Her upcoming release was recorded live at Henson studios in LA and features Marc Ford, Rami Jaffee, Michael Jerome and Taras Prodanium, with much support from producer Jimmy Hoyson. Her teachers include Alanis Morisette, Jorma Kaukonen, David Wolff and Tom Feldman. She has opened for 10,000 Maniacs, Toubabe Krewe, Rusted Root, Dar Williams, Loudon Wainwright III, Marcia Ball, The Black Lilies and Cabinet. She has recorded and performed with the Black Yo)))ga Meditation Ensemble (doom), Kirik Hava (turkish folk), Between Liberties (folk rock). She has performed internationally and in her own back yard. (more on music)

EMAY DANCES WITH FIRE

EMay is co-founder and managing director for Steel Town Fire and was pivotal in launching Pyrotopia Fire Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh Fire Arts community. (more on fire)

EMAY LIVES ON A FARM

A beekeeper and homestead farmer, she and her partner Ben operate his mead-making operation while growing most of their own food and taking care of a cat, a few dozen chickens, two awesome dogs a couple equally-fabulous donkeys. (more on healthberry farm)

EMAY IS AN UNORIGINAL HACK

…but so is Steven Spielberg, so she is in good company. On her blog, she shares stories from the road, poems for the earth, and insights into her creative life. She commiserates with you about what it takes to be a whole being in a fractured world, and trails breadcrumbs so you can find her favorite artists, musicians, places and things.

EMAY LOVES THE ARTS

When she is not herself being creative, she is often supporting the arts in some way. She has worked behind-the-scenes as a sound engineer, event producer, live radio program manager, booking agent, talent buyer, teacher, graphic designer, website builder, creative consultant and stage manager. She currently consults with artists and entrepreneurs looking to make a living doing what they love.

EMAY IS A HUMAN BEING

She went to college in Pittsburgh and made installation art across the city. She especially adores Pittsburgh and Boston, the places she spent a large part of her life, yet now bases her life out of West Virginia and Los Angeles. She is passionate about many things, most especially the environment, education, the arts, mental health, and meditation. She loves to dance, adventure outdoors, garden, juice apples and ride horses. She is an avid reader and listener of books. She loves traveling, meeting people, and engaging in interesting conversations. She has been sober since 2011 and grateful most every day since. She has a great community, an awesome family, and the absolute best friends in the world.

EMAY LOVES YOU

You see, although she sometimes talks about herself in third-person on the internet, EMay always adores connecting with real people in first person. Please connect to her over social media or, if you have a burning desire, do not hesitate to contact her. She loves you dearly and wishes you the abundant fruit of the beautiful seeds you plant in this dear little world.