Meet the Author
Eileen Finley: author, teacher, musician, creative spirit
I completed my first book, Serenade: A Memoir, in 2026. After retiring from a 50 year music career, writing emerged naturally and organically as a new expression of my creative voice. In an effort to learn all that I could about the craft, I attended writer’s conferences, participated in on-line courses, and took workshops led by brilliant author-teachers. Now, having completed my memoir and its proposal, I’m currently querying agents.
But before that….
I founded the Pennsylvania Youth Chorale, a non-profit, community children’s choir (1977), and served as CEO of the corporation for 40 years. As artistic director, I conducted performances with the PYC in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany and throughout the US, and my choirs performed on major stages including the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Bass Hall in Dallas-Fort Worth, and Carnegie Hall in NYC. I was honored with a Citation of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association (1984), and with the PYC Community Service Award (2002) on the 25th anniversary of the choir.
But before that….
I taught elementary vocal music for 36 years in the Neshaminy School District. I also taught courses on the graduate and undergraduate levels at the University of Pennsylvania, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, NJ, and Cairn University, PA. I’ve frequently been invited to be a guest conductor at music conferences and festivals, and as a guest lecturer, I’ve presented music methods workshops at regional and state conferences. Throughout my teaching career, I was the recipient of numerous awards from the Neshaminy School Board.
But before that…
I graduated from College Misericordia (1969), now Misericordia University, with a degree in Music Education, majoring in piano, minoring in clarinet and organ. After graduation, I studied piano and violin at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, and earned a Master’s degree in education at Trenton State University (1975). I advanced my studies at the Kodaly Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary (1976) and received Kodaly certification from the Kodaly Center of America (1981). I received the Recognition For Excellence Alumni Award from College Misericordia (1989), and was honored with a tribute in Misericordia Today, Winter 2018, “Music Maker.”
But always and forever…
I live a creative life powered by passion, discipline and dedication.
I draw inspiration from the beauty and wonder of nature.
I trust my inner strength, God, and the wisdom of the universe to guide me.
I treasure my creative voice, whether it sings, teaches or writes, as a force for good.
I am grateful.
Outside Perspectives
Ms. Finley is a brilliant writer with an original voice. Her ability to pan from the specific to the universal in conveying the pain of heartbreak is glorious, and her vivid descriptions bring the reader into the moment.
Eileen Finley’s writing is so forthright and clear, she pulls you immediately into her devastating losses and her decision to—and then her figuring out how to—heal herself. She doesn’t demand the reader’s sympathy, but she quickly earns it.
From My Writing Desk
I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.
We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.
Writing is the only thing that when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.
Every word a woman writes changes the story of the world, revises the official version.