Merokean creates instant-music-messaging app

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A new form of communication has been introduced to smartphones via Emusi, an application that allows users to send 15-30-second songs as text messages, emails and Facebook/Twitter messages. Lynn Portas, 55, of Merrick, launched the app in September 2016 and continues to update the library of 800 songs with original pieces. The composer, musician and former music teacher created the platform as a way to engage a younger generation through song.

Portas has been exploring the growing music landscape since she was in high school, and used to compete at the Manhattan School of Music. She went on to study classical music at Wagner College of Staten Island. After graduating, Portas went on to compose the scores for various off-Broadway productions, including “Tony and Tina’s Wedding” and “108 Waverly.” Since then, she has written several children’s albums, appeared on the Howard Stern Show, and taught at the Long Island School for the Gifted in Huntington.

Portas said that, as a teenager, she would not have seen herself developing an app or creating music in such a way. The idea came to her when her daughter texted her to ask about dinner plans. Portas wanted to text back in a creative way, so she sent an audio clip of her singing. She spent that night writing short songs that could be used in the place of common greetings and messages. Similar to short video messages known as gifs, Portas wanted her short songs to enliven an otherwise mundane conversation.

“I’m worried about music,” Portas added, expressing fear that composers are losing their ability to connect with a modern audience. However, her doubts were alleviated when she started receiving 5-star reviews of Emusi. “People are listening,” she exclaimed.

Portas’s husband, Joe Bernnan, designed the layout for the app and worked on its development with the Texas-based company App Maisters. Emusi is separated into categories such as work, relationships, advice, vacation and travel and celebrations. Each message has a rating from “E,” for everyone, “T,” for teen, and “M,” for mature. Users can download a limited version of Emusi for free or purchase the complete app for 99 cents. The couple hopes to sell Emusi to Apple and plans on expanding it to include other composers and musicians.

Portas said that her childhood was composed of moments in which she would sing about tying her shoes or doing the dishes. “Somewhere today there is a boy or girl who write songs about everything they do,” she added, and declared that Emusi is for them.