Award-winning music composer, lecturer and music instructor Jane Ellen recently had two works, The King of Love and Blessed Assurance, performed at Albuquerque's Asbury United Methodist Church. And the Youth Choir at Annunciation Catholic Church in the same New Mexico city is preparing to sing her One Little Child on Christmas Eve. And next year, she will be submitting a string trio, a woodwind quintet and two piano works to a new concert series in Rome, Italy.

When she's not composing, she enjoys reading and studying about some of her favorite diverse historical topics: the Dead Sea Scrolls, Joan of Arc, opera --- and the Alamo!

"I was one of those kids who hated history in school because it was usually presented as nothing more than facts and figures," said Jane Ellen. "Eventually, I figured out that history is a compilation of stories about the way people lived, and thought, and worked and struggled. And I have been hooked ever since."

Her initial contact with the Alamo was a direct one.

"I first encountered the Alamo when I was six years old and lived for a short time in San Antonio," she recalled. "Although I cannot clearly remember the experience, I do know from my mother's stories how difficult it was to coax me to leave the chapel that afternoon. Apparently I felt a very strong bond which I did not want to leave behind."

Since leaving the Lone Star State, Jane Ellen has accomplished quite a lot. She graduated with a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of New Mexico with a double major: music performance (piano) and religious studies. She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Active in church music for many years, she has composed over 300 pieces. Since 1986, 31 of her musical compositions have been published. As a matter of fact, she has regularly earned awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers since 1990.

Jane Ellen is also a member of the International Alliance for Women in Music as is recognized in the current volume of Who's Who Among American Women.

"I have never been able to return to Texas, but I hope to do so someday," she said. "In the meantime, my collection of Alamo books, articles and memorabilia continues to grow. I don't know that I have a favorite Alamo film; I think perhaps it hasn't been made yet, although I have watched the John Wayne version more than any other."

Although she admits that identifying a "favorite" Alamo film is a difficult task, selecting a favorite Alamo book isn't.

"As far as books go, I cut my teeth on Walter Lord's A Time to Stand," she said. "However, because of my fascination with the Dickinsons it is my copy of the now out-of-print book Susanna Dickinson: Messenger of the Alamo by C. Richard King which is my prized possession."

Jane Ellen's interest in the Dickinsons may manifest itself musically in the not-too-distant future.

"My Alamo passion is for the story of Almeron and Susanna Dickinson," she said. "And over the years I have begun writing some songs for a projected stage musical which would tell their story within the context of the Alamo siege."