Espie Estrella Introduction Award-winning songwriterMember of the Nashville Songwriters Association International Experience Espie Estrella is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles on music theory and history. She began her music career by holding summer piano lessons for children in her community. Her first serious venture into songwriting came in 2001, when one of her songs was included in the "Muzikwerks" album. Estrella followed this success with a two-year project writing 39 songs for a poet. She has hosted her own online program, "MellowTouch," on the internet radio station Live365.Estrella's song "Living the Dream" was a monthly finalist (in the Adult Contemporary category) in the 2008 Song of the Year contest, an international songwriting contest that seeks to encourage the art and discipline of songwriting. The song "Can You Hear Me Lord," which she co-authored, was a monthly winner (in the Christian/Gospel category). Education Estrella has a bachelor's degree in English literature. She has taken classes in music theory as well as music history and appreciation. LiveAbout and Dotdash Meredith LiveAbout, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is a reference site focused on entertainment, activities, and hobbies. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines. Read more from Espie Estrella Everything You Need to Know About Major Scales in Music The Baroque Dance Suite Baroque Music Timeline Compound Meter in Music Dotted Notes and Rests How to Read Dynamic Signs in Sheet Music Medieval Music Timeline Key Signatures and How to Read Them Practice Instrument Differentiation With "Peter and the Wolf" Guide to the Flutophone, a Lesser-Known Instrument Renaissance Music Timeline Table of Intervals in Music Theory Table of Key Signatures The AABA Song Form An Introduction to the Elements of Music The ii, iii, and vi Chords The I - IV - V Chord Pattern Reading Music: Tied Notes Types of Notes Used in Musical Notation Types of Rests and Pauses in Music An Explanation of Simple Meter Dominant 7th's vs. Major 7th Chord Famous Black Musicians Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries