Ellen Engelke graduated in 1979 with a double major in English Literature and Political Science. She came back to her home in Los Angeles and started working in Civic Light Opera, first as a flutist in the pit orchestra, then on stage after she was recruited by a director for his next production. Diving into acting classes, singing lessons, and many hours in jazz, tap, and ballet classes, within a few years she was in leading roles. Then, a trip to the Galapagos Islands inspired her to enroll in graduate school in Biology, where she studied insect behavior in Costa Rica.

After working for a public relations agency, she started her own company: Cowgirl Communications, in honor of Annie Oakley, a character she played many times. One of her clients was a business organization of independent shops in Redondo Beach, where she expanded from marketing to event planning. During this time she returned to music, finally learning to play saxophone, which had been a goal for quite a while. This led to learning the clarinet as well as the rest of the saxes.

Ellen is currently working as a musician in Los Angeles, where she performs regularly with several Big Bands, as well as cover bands, wind ensembles, and concert bands.

“I love that while my friends are retiring, I have started a completely new career! It’s so exciting to feel that sensation of everything being brand new!"