BIOGRAPHY
Nancy, a public school music teacher, loves children and writing for them. She earned her Master’s Degree in 1996 and was a “Teacher of the Year” finalist for the state of Missouri in 1999. In her own words, she is “very fond of Diet Pepsi and chocolate!” When she dines out, she enjoys Italian, Mexican, and Japanese food. She avoids at all costs liver and onions, and meatloaf! Can you relate? She also looks forward to playing tennis, cooking, jigsaw puzzles, and tending her roses.
INTERVIEW
- Q. Why do you enjoy composing?
- Nancy J. Martin: “I feel like I’m helping listeners think about God and receive truths about His Word.”
- What is your greatest wish as a composer?
- Nancy J. Martin: “I actually have two: to meet Gloria Gaither and write a song that gets nominated for a Dove award.”
- Q. What is your most memorable songwriting experience?
- Nancy J. Martin: “One day at school I was talking to my class about how different songwriting is today verses in the classical period. One of my students asked me to prove I am a published songwriter. So the next class period I played a song from the project, ‘Carry the Torch’ (Gospel Publishing House). To my surprise 80% of the class started singing along. Come to find out, many of my students attend daycares and Sunday schools that play the songs. What a feeling to know my songs are helping real children learn God’s Word!”
- Q. Why do you enjoy composing?
- Nancy J. Martin: “As a Christian, it’s a way of leaving a godly legacy and impacting our world for Jesus. I want my songs to be songs that say something meaningful about the Lord; songs about a life of faith that people and kids can relate to. I guess my heart is to leave something of eternal value with the listener.”
- Q. What are some of your musical influences?
- Nancy J. Martin: “I enjoy contemporary Christian, classical, and some jazz. My favorite artists are ‘Plus One,’ ‘The Katinas,’ and Cindy Morgan.”