Member Spotlight: Emily Simonian

MusicalWriters member Emily Simonian is making waves.

Simonian is a singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist, librettist and published author. Raised on a steady diet of 90’s pop, Beatles, Disney movies and classic musicals, she earned a merit-based scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music, and finished her degree at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, earning a B.F.A. in Contemporary Music.

In 2024, Emily received a grant from the Armenian International Women’s Association, which sponsored a March 2025 concert reading of her musical When Two of Us Meet at The Green Room 42 in NYC.  Inspired by her Armenian ancestors’ emigration to America in 1915, When Two of Us Meet is an immigrant success story about resilience, overcoming adversity, and the power of community. The musical was selected as a top 12 finalist for the 2025 Florida Festival of New Musicals, and a top 10 finalist for the 2025 New Musical Project in Boulder, CO.

She is an active member of The Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, Maestra Music, and a proud MusicalWriters member! Three songs from When Two of Us Meet were recently featured in the latest MusicalWriters New Works Cabaret.

MusicalWriters sat down with Emily to discuss her musical inspirations, her dream cast and collaborators *coughcough*Cher*coughcough, and musical writing lessons she’s learned from her background as a mental health therapist. (She has a masters in Psychology and practices music and art therapies, with related mentions in TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, Huff Post, Newsweek, and Healthline, to name a few.)

How did you get started writing musicals?

Emily Simonian: My background is in contemporary songwriting but as a fan of musical theatre, writing a musical was always on my bucket list. Several years ago I kept getting ideas for musicals, jotting things down, thinking about plot points, and getting excited about writing character-driven music. I told myself it would be a project for later in life, but after a while I realized I didn’t want to wait. Now I’m hooked.

What are you working on right now?

ES:  Right now, I’m  in the unique position of simultaneously editing When Two of Us Meet and preparing for a second concert presentation of the show’s first draft. It feels a little funny to be revising and showcasing at the same time—but there’s a meaningful reason behind it.

When Two of Us Meet follows an Armenian family’s journey from their homeland to America in the early 20th century. It’s a story of resilience, personal and cultural transformation, and the power of community—an immigrant success story inspired by my great-grandparents’ transformative lives.

I completed the first iteration of the show and presented a concert reading at The Green Room 42 in New York City on March 22. Less than a week later, as I was gearing up to begin edits on the second draft, something unexpected happened: the Embassy of Armenia wanted to host a second concert reading–this time in Washington, D.C., on May 6!

The Armenian Ambassador was the guest of honor at the NYC concert, and the piece deeply resonated with her and others from the Embassy. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring When Two of Us Meet to a new audience in a new city—especially one that includes members of the Armenian community—so soon after its first presentation.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned from your writing journey that you’d like to share?

ES: There are so many lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning), but lately, the biggest one has been about persistence and the power of rewriting. It’s so easy to get attached to a first draft, whether it’s a script, a scene, or a song. I used to be afraid to undo or rework something once I considered it “finished.” Sometimes I’d settle for a version that was just okay, or convince myself it was done because I wasn’t sure I could come up with something better.

Now, I push myself so much harder. I’ve started saying, “You think you’re done, but you’re not”—because I’ve seen how much stronger my work becomes when I revisit it and really ask: What’s missing? What’s not working? What could be better?  My resistance to rewriting was probably rooted in self-doubt—like maybe I didn’t trust that I’d have another good idea.

Then I watched Amy Poehler’s Masterclass, where she said something like, “Your ideas aren’t precious. You’re always going to have another great one” (I’m paraphrasing). That really stuck with me—and it’s made those inevitable moments of scrapping an entire scene or song feel easier.

Writing a musical isn’t easy. What’s your “why” in being a musical writer?

ES: There’s a “give” and a “receive” to why I write musicals.

Give: I think most artists, in any medium, share their work to connect—to move people, spark change, or help someone feel seen. Music and storytelling have always been powerful tools for that. I’ve also come to deeply appreciate the collaborative nature of musical theatre. Recently, I’ve remembered how much I thrive in a team environment. Being part of a creative team brings a different kind of energy and joy to the work.

Receive: After years of writing pop songs, shifting into musicals has felt like going from sketching in black and white to painting expansive, full-color murals. It’s creatively demanding–I’m completely captivated and artistically fulfilled.

Why did you join MusicalWriters?

ES:  I joined for two reasons: first, because I wanted to connect with other people who were also writing musicals, and second, because I had hit a wall in my learning trajectory. After feeling isolated researching, writing, and trying to piece things together on my own, I realized I needed more structure and interaction. Books, podcasts, and articles had taken me a long way, but I was craving a sense of community and real-time, personalized feedback.

I remember saying in one of my first coaching sessions with Rebecca, “I don’t know what I don’t know”—and I’ve probably said it a few times since. I knew there were major gaps in my understanding, and being surrounded by other writers, learning from experienced mentors, and having a safe space to ask questions (even the ones I couldn’t fully articulate yet) helped me build confidence in areas that felt overwhelming. It’s been both empowering and energizing to grow alongside a supportive creative community.

Coaching sessions are available through MusicalWriters for both members and non-members. Click here to learn more.

What’s your proudest accomplishment as a musical writer?

ES: So far, it’s been having the courage to try—putting myself out there, talking about my work, and actually sharing it. That’s gone hand in hand with learning to accept compliments and take in constructive feedback. It might sound simple, but for me, it’s been a big shift that I’m proud of.

Is there a specific MusicalWriters resource that has been particularly helpful for you?

ES:  To echo what I said earlier about interacting with other writers, the writing groups have been instrumental for me. Beyond feedback, they offer creative accountability and support. Hearing others share their process, their struggles, and their successes helps normalize the ups and downs of this work. Some of my most valuable breakthroughs have come not just from receiving notes on my own material, but from observing how others develop and shape theirs. There’s a kind of creative alchemy that happens when you’re surrounded by writers who share your passion and commitment.

MusicalWriters members have access to a monthly writing group as part of their membership. Click here to learn more.

What’s the best way to get better as a musical writer?

ES:  The psych side of me would answer like this: To get “better”, first consider what “better” actually means to you—this week, this month, this year. Make it measurable. Make it specific. Do you want to strengthen your lyric writing? Learn how to craft more dynamic character arcs? Write faster? Be clearer about what you’re aiming for, and then break down how you’ll get there.

Start by assessing where you are now. Self-reporting through scaling questions might sound overly clinical, but it can actually be a useful tool. For example, if you currently rate your lyric writing a 6 out of 10, ask yourself: Why? What would a 10 look like, or even a 7? What skills or tools do you need to close that gap—a book, a class, a mentor, a writing group? Then, check in again in a month, six months, or a year. If you feel you’ve moved from a 6 to a 7, that’s real growth.

Beyond goal-setting, stay curious and approach the craft like a sponge. Absorb inspiration, knowledge, and feedback. Read librettos and study how structure and dialogue support storytelling. Listen closely—to film scores, contemporary music, and anything that sparks emotional or lyrical resonance.

Allow yourself time to reflect and take breaks. Challenge yourself to write something outside your comfort zone or explore an unfamiliar subject. Write in unexpected places or at unusual times—a shift in environment helps shift perspective. Take classes/workshops, and seek out opportunities to learn from those further along in the process. Don’t hesitate to ask questions—about craft, process, or industry norms. Stay committed, stay open, and keep writing.

Do you have a website?  What tool or service did you use to create it?

ES:  www.whentwoofusmeetmusical.com (I use Wix and I love it!)

Do you use social media to promote your work?

ES: Instagram is my fave– @whentwoofusmeet (musical); @emssimonian (personal)

When you are not working on your musical, what are you most likely to be doing?

ES: Here’s my current list:

• Reading (last read: My Name is Aram by William Saroyan, current read: Maktub by Paulo Coelho, always reading: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron).
• Styling outfits/posting fit pics.
• Reflecting/writing grandiose plans in my Passion Planner.
• Writing to-do lists and then erasing things off the list (not because I did the things, just because it feels good to see tasks disappear).
• Abandoning online shopping carts.
• Running or taking classes at the gym.
• Eating sugary kids’ cereals as an adult, like Jerry Seinfeld.
• Washing a single dish by hand because I don’t want to empty the clean dishwasher (in my house, legend says my husband will appear and empty the dishwasher if I leave it unemptied for more than 8 hours).
• Obsessing over my miniature cockapoo, Pepper: taking her for walks, taking millions of pictures of her, & sending the pics to people who didn’t ask for them.
• Thinking about what my next musical will be…

Lightning Round with Emily:

Coffee or tea? Coffee. & Chai Tea Lattes w/ oat milk.
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Digital or analog? Digital
Fly solo or team up? Team up!
Pizza or Hamburgers? Neapolitan-style Margherita Pizza w/ extra basil
Road Trip or Fly? Flying b/c I’m impatient
City, Country, or Suburbs? City (see previous answer–I like moving fast)
Flip Flops or Crocs? Flip flops
Apple or Android? Apple (the green bubble messages make me sad)
Most recently used emojis? Thank you hands and Armenian flag (lol)
Last thing you texted? Confirming dinner resies w/ friends
Three things within arms reach right now? My Passion Planner (highly recommend!), my dog Pepper, headphones

What is one question you wish we would have asked?

ES: “Are you looking to expand the creative team behind When Two of Us Meet to help move it toward a fully staged production, and if so, what are you looking for, and who is your dream team?”

Oh wow! Great question–so specific, and thank you for asking.

Yes! I’m looking for a director and producers who believe in the core themes of the show: immigrant success, overcoming adversity, and the power of community.

Dream producers? Just a few of the most globally famous, talented, gorgeous, and successful Armenian women on the planet: Cher and the Kardashians. (No big deal.) Armenian-American women coming together to create something that honors our culture and celebrates the immigrant journey? Yes, please. Just putting it out into the universe… Come through, Kim! And can someone pass this along to Cher? Thanks.

Thanks so much to Emily for sharing her time and talents with MusicalWriters!

Connect with – and learn more about – When Two of Us Meet at www.whentwoofusmeetmusical.com