Elaine Shepherd Akermann is originally from a small town in rural Oklahoma and holds Bachelor’s of Music, Master’s of Music and Doctor of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma. She began playing the organ in the ninth grade and has played for churches of many denominations ever since, holding both full time and part time positions. Having taught young adults in several universities in the southwest, she now owns and operates Express Kids, a preschool music and sign language program with hundreds of children enrolled weekly across the Indianapolis area. As owner-creator, Elaine writes and produces all the music and curriculum for Express Kids.  She lives with her husband, Mike, in Carmel and is active in the Wednesday night study group. Their family includes daughter Lee, son-in-law Brett, and two grandsons Jay and Gabe, who live in Fishers.