Open mic hero Amber Cordell plays her final Lansing set

It’s rare to move away and have a send-off like Amber Cordell, a local musician, did this month. Besides several, get-togethers with co-workers and friends, there were two staff bashes that were connected to her.

There was the work party at the Office for International Students and Scholars at Michigan State University, a farewell performance Sept. 18 at Sir Pizza Grand Café in Old Town, and a final musical jam with over 20 musicians to honor her at the Waterfront Bar and Grill in Lansing on Sept. 22.

After touching the hearts of hundreds of college students and fans, such revelries were fitting.

Cordell is known in town for appearing at numerous open mics in the Lansing area, sometimes standing as the only woman onstage. Places like Moriarty’s, the EagleMonk Pub, MBC, Windwalker and The All Saints Coffeehouse fostered the confidence to perform and compose music.

The exposure led to playing with Double Secret Probation, Amber and the Bad Habits, and with guitarist Ron McKeever — and paid gigs all-around Lower Michigan.

This month, she celebrated leaving her job of 11 years as educational program manager at MSU and headed Monday for Emory University in Atlanta. At MSU, Cordell started a scholarship leadership program, taught weekly seminars, was an adviser for the International Students Association and Japan Club, facilitated intercultural communications trainings, hired about 100 orientation leaders a year, managed orientation for all incoming international students, and coordinated and emceed an annual global festival.

Work took her to China to meet MSU students and their parents. She also hosted “Spring Break Service Trips,”including one last year to the U.S.-Mexico border to distribute water for refugees.

Cordell mentored people from 140 different countries.  At least 2,400 students follow her student focused Facebook page.

“I keep in touch with a lot of them,” Cordell said.  When her departure was announced, she received over 100 emotional testimonials.

“I had a great gig going on at MSU so I was never desperate or in a rush to leave,” she said.  A friend saw the Emory post and said, “This seems perfect for you.”  Cordell agreed. 

Emory has a smaller population with a larger percent of international students.  It offers career advancement and an opportunity to be closer to her mom, sister, niece and nephew—a “huge reason” for the move.

Cordell, 43, was born in Greenville, Mississippi.  After graduating high school, Cordell went to Shorter College in Rome, Georgia.   

She attended Shorter for its music and theater programs, but earned degrees in psychology and religion instead.  Her masters in religion—specializing in Japanese Buddhism—was completed at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  In adherence for her degree, Cordell did Buddhism research and taught English in Japan from 2001 to 2004, providing her the opportunity to travel all over Asia.

Cordell’s degrees helped interactions with students from many countries with different religions. “I have a certain intercultural sensitivity thanks to studying different religions,” she said.  Belonging to a local Buddhist meditation group has been helpful, too.

Cordell has also had opportunities to spend time in Chile and has traveled all over the world, she said. “Mostly by myself.” 

Her first job in international education was at the University of Kansas Medical Center. That’s where she met and married a Japanese-American who then moved here for a job with Michigan Virtual University. After four years together, they divorced in 2011.  Reminiscing about her time at MSU, Cordell never thought she’d stay. “I never could get used to the cold,” she said.  “It really gets to me.”

Cordell’s dad, who died when she was 13, was a musician, guitar and voice. They did a duo appearance on a local TV March of Dimes telethon when she was five.  Her mother was also a vocalist and piano/organ player.  “Music was a big deal in my family,” Cordell said.

This summer, Cordell got to play in North Carolina where her sister lives.

“Kinda like my first tour,” she chuckled.  “Three shows in four days.”

Her musical side-career seemed to be taking off.  Cordell had to cancel area bookings into November. 

“I’ve done a little bit of poking around Atlanta,” she said.  “There will be more opportunities, but there will be more competition.”