One glance at her music library, and you can see that Merry Ellen Kirk is no ordinary 19-year-old. Influenced by the likes of Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel and Imogen Heap, her songs haunt and inspire. Her voice captivates the listener. Each note is as unique as the last. Even her breath is musical.

Raised in Mongolia as a young child of missionary parents, Merry Ellen was exposed to the music of the world at an early age. The mystical rhythms and melodies of Mongolia lie deep within her spirit. It was there in Mongolia that she first learned not only of her love for music, but of her heart for the poor and orphaned of the world.

In addition to her world music roots, Merry Ellen also developed a love for “classical” music when she moved to America and began taking piano lessons. Merry Ellen soon discovered her own talent for writing. Some of her first songs are featured on her debut album, including some written by Merry Ellen and producer Pete Warren collaboratively. The album, "Invisible War," is available on iTunes!

"The vision I have for my music is that it would reach across cultural boundaries and resonate with people that hear it in a way that impacts lives. When I was growing up in Mongolia, the orphan streetkids that lived in the sewers would come up to me and my mom and ask for bread or money. They left a huge mark on me, they reached inside my heart and pulled its strings, pleaded with me that the world can be a better place, and years later, I am still called to action as a result--that is what I strive to achieve in my music."
-Merry Ellen Kirk

Please take a minute to check out these links and educate yourself about the plight of the orphans in Mongolia, and spread the word:
YouTube Video
ABC News Story
MongolianOrphans.org

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*