Marylata Elton has enjoyed a multi-faceted career on the music side of the entertainment industry, spanning 40 years, and encompassing award-winning feature films, collaborations with a number of legendary musical artists, and her own Grammy nomination. Elton held the post of DreamWorks Senior Vice President of Music, joining the studio shortly after its’ inception and, as its first music executive, developed the feature film musical department virtually from the ground up. As Artistic Director of Music on seven DreamWorks animated features, she is credited on the blockbuster Shrek. 

Elton was honored with a Grammy nomination (as Producer, shared with Michael Ostin) in the category of Best Compilation Soundtrack for Shrek’s multi-platinum-selling soundtrack album. Added credits include the epic musical The Prince of Egypt, working with Hans Zimmer; Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, featuring songs by Bryan Adams; The Road to El Dorado, with Elton John, Time Rice, and Hans Zimmer, in addition to the feature films Peacemaker and Gladiator.

Raised in Los Angeles, Elton began her career at A&M Records, advancing independently and working with artists Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Rod Steward, Bob Weir and Duran Duran’s Any Taylor. Elton and her longtime partner, guitarist and three-time Emmy nominated composer, Danny Jacob, currently own their music production company, creating the music for Disney’s TV animation mega-hit, Phineas and Ferb.

In 2011, Elton established the first endowment for the Teenage Drama Workshop at California State University, Northridge, the longest running teen theater program in the nation. Relocating to Jacksonville, Oregon in 2014, Elton continues her legacy as a patron of the arts, supporting the Collaborative Theatre Project, when in 2023 she accepted the honor of joining its Board of Directors.