Malia Elliott

Malia Elliott grew up in Hawaii, the fourth child of parents who were educators at the University of Hawaii and in the Hawaii Department of Education. They lived in the remote area of Koko Head on the outskirts of Honolulu, among the farmers and fishermen. Her playground was Hanauma Bay, now a famous wildlife preserve. This was prior to everyone being evicted, and the area being developed into the massive upscale suburb now known as Hawaii Kai.

As a child, Malia received training in the theatrical arts, participating in numerous children and youth productions in Honolulu. She spent her high school summers as part of the Shakesperean Festivals in Ashland, Oregon. She attended the Univertisty of Hawaii, majoring in drama, then spent several years as a cast member of a repertory theater group based in Carmel Valley, California. As an actress, her forté lies in Shakespeare and musicals. Malia's affinity for Hawaiian music comes from growing up in Hawaii where music literally permeates the air.

MusicTime!

Besides being a vocalist, performer, composer and producer, Malia is an educator. She has served on faculty at Star of the Sea Early Learning Center for the past 9 years, where her MusicTime! program is used as part of their ongoing arts appreciation curriculum.

MusicTime! is a classroom program developed by Malia, to provide an exciting introduction to the world of music for young children. The program helps to develop the child's understanding and appreciation for music and its creative components — rhythm, movement, expression. This helps to set an early tone for the child's view of the value of music in all areas of life.

Malia has also provided her Music Time! program for young children at Kawaiaha‘o School, Navy Hale Keiki, Tutu and Me Traveling Pre-School, Maileland, the Toddler Program, Kamalani Home-School Groups, Wee Play and Learn Center and others.

Lullaby Moon
There are actually two products with the name, Lullaby Moon. One is a compact disc compiled and recorded by Malia to provide sweet, comforting bed-time music for young children. The other Lullaby Moon is a beautifully illustrated storybook with a mini-cd. Malia created the concept for the story in this book and wrote the title song Lullaby Moon.

Tutu TV
The word Tutu in Hawaii is an endearing term for "grandparent." Tutu TV is an educational series of TV programs produced by Malia that shows grandparents how they can provide stimulating, educational and encouraging experiences for their young grandchildren while doing everyday, around-the-house activities. The series is part of Leon & Malia's Keiki Corner that airs weekly on community access channels throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Various Productions
Besides being a performer and creative collaborator on the many Leon & Malia projects, Malia also does most of the production chores of strategizing, coordinating, organizing and mobilizing. Over the years she has been the producer of numerous non-Leon & Malia projects including, anthologies featuring dozens of recording artists and groups, environmental educational projects, inspirational recordings, music for various children's programs and more.