Emily’s EP breathes new life into Jewish liturgy

Jewish Telegraph, July 2021

NASHVILLE-based singer-songwriter Emily Groff has released a new EP called Breathe (Kosher Style Records).
Among her all-female band is Katy Perry-guitarist Devon Eisenbarger.
The title track was inspired by Emily’s struggle in dealing with performance anxiety.
Other tracks feature her unique interpretations of Jewish liturgy including Hashkiveinu, Ahavat Olam, Shiru Ladonai and Lo Yisa Goy.
Born and raised in Miami Beach, Groff moved to Nashville in 2015 to pursue Bachelor and Master degrees in music education from Vanderbilt University.
“Growing up in Miami Beach had a huge effect on so much of who I am,” she said.
“Between street performers, concerts, and music being blasted from every restaurant, store, and bar, growing up in Miami Beach makes you inevitably surrounded by music everywhere you go.
“I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a place where Judaism was not just accepted but also cherished and valued.”
When not writing and performing Jewish music at summer camps and synagogues, Groff shares her passion for music with students at Neely’s Bend Elementary School in Metro Nashville public schools where she teaches K-4 music.
Groff was a finalist in the Jewish Star talent search in 2019, through which she ended up working with music producer Josh Goldberg.
“I have been writing Jewish music for many years, and have been toying with the idea of making an album since I started college,” she added.
“Music has always been the way that I process Judaism and experience it most authentically, and I love the spiritual and musical creativity that collide when writing Jewish music.
“My style of Jewish music, however, has always been a weird conglomerate of my secular and Jewish musical interests which leads to the variety of styles present.
“I am excited to be able to share my authentic spiritual and music moments, and I hope that it helps people connect to Jewish music in different ways with the variety of genres I present.”
Emilygroffmusic.com