Peer Advisor Bio: Emily Landon
My Name is Emily Landon. I love sports (soccer and basketball), hiking, camping,
snowboarding, and the beach. Pretty much anything outdoors. I was born in Norfolk, Virginia. I
lived there for 9 years, moved to North Carolina, then I came to Utah 4 years ago. The majority
of my life I’ve been a beach bum with a southern accent. Currently, I am going to school and
working in a kitchen for a catering company. My job is a lot of fun because I get to cook and
create artwork out of food. My dad is a chef, so I’ve been around food my whole life. I have a
wonderful, hilariously loud and outrageous family that I love to death. I’m the youngest of 5
children. I have 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 4 nieces, and 2 nephews. My family is a very important part
of my life.
If I could identify myself in just a few words it would be outgoing, likes to have fun, knows
when to be serious, responsible, academic, and most importantly, musical. Music is such a vital
part of who I am. I live, breathe, think, and do music. If you haven’t already guessed, I am a
music major. Music is my greatest passion in life. I’ve been playing the flute since I was 7 years
old. I also sing and play the piano. Last year I had an awesome opportunity to play with the Utah
Symphony in a side by side concert. One high school student was picked for each section in the
orchestra. This was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. Then, in high school I became
really involved in musicals and choirs. Its been a struggle to decide whether to major in flute or
voice. In the end, I chose Vocal Performance. After this year in the music performance world, I
saw how many people became self absorbed and everything was all about keeping up
appearances. It wasn’t about sharing music anymore for other people’s benefit. I was in a fix
because I love music enormously but I didn’t want to become that sort of person.
Recently, the Fine arts and Exploration LEAP program worked in conjunction with the
Neighborhood House (non-profit after school daycare for underprivileged children) to put on a
musical. It was called Cheer Up Max, the Meanie. Twice a week we went to the Neighborhood
House and taught the children to sing, dance, and to memorize lines. I had so much fun and grew
to love these children. I saw an immense change in them as they began to feel wanted and special
in the play. Once child, Moroni, was very disinterested in the play from the start. When he
received a special solo part his attitude changed ten fold. The impact that the LEAP students had
on these children was incredible. After this experience, I knew for a fact that Music Education is
where I needed to be. I’d been searching for the perfect fit for me in music. I always knew I
wanted to teach private lessons out of my home, but it wasn’t until this experience that I realized
I would love to teach Elementary Music Education. It’s funny because I always told myself I
would never become a school teacher. Ten years ago my father predicted that is what I would
become. Lo, and behold that is where i’m headed! I’m so excited for what the future holds and
I’m ready to embrace it!
The LEAP program really helped me discover who I am and what I want out of life. I believe the
best way to do this is to step back, stop worrying about yourself, and to reach out and serve
others. You will be surprised the people you will affect and the internal change within yourself.
There is nothing more gratifying than knowing that you have helped another human being no
matter how big or small. My goal is to help instill this same idea in the fall to the new LEAP
students I will be advising. I’m looking forward to another great chapter in my life!