Documentary Songwriters, a nonprofit specializing in helping people to write original songs from spoken words, has named Nora Willauer, of Hope, as executive director. Willauer replaces Malcolm Brooks, who has served in that position for the past two years.

Willauer is a cellist, composer, and scholar. As an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, she received the university's highest award for her thesis on cello as a voice in documentary songwriting. As an exchange student in Spain, she established documentary songwriting workshops in Barcelona, translating the method to local participants, creating the songs, and arranging performances – all in Spanish.

In her first year of graduate study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, she established the #MeToo DocSong program to help women share experiences of sexual misconduct. Her work caught the attention of National Public Radio and led to a feature on their program, Morning Edition. 

Willauer has performed as a cello soloist in orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic. She also serves as a guest performer with Maine's own Palaver Strings and records and tours with the Push Farther Project.

“I’m thrilled that Nora will be taking the helm,” said Malcolm Brooks, outgoing executive director, in a news release. “She holds the global vision of helping people to find understanding and reconciliation through creating and sharing personal songs.”

For more information on Documentary Songwriters, visit docsong.org.