Emily Vallente is on a mission into the woods!
Weird "Emily" Facts
1. My favourite place to sing is in the bath - Seriously I belt Whitney like there's no tomorrow!!
2. My Current Playlist includes - Halestorm, Lifehouse, Kylie (Abby Road Sessions), Lady Antebellum, Rae Morris, Alfie Mulroy, Nashville Soundtrack, SOA Soundtrack
3. I'm terrified of...Smelling like Wee
4. Party Trick? = I can down a pint (well I could...maybe we should test the theory...say EP Launch Party?!)
5. I have a scar on my tummy from an operation I had as a baby #miraclebaby
Influences
As a Singer I have been influenced by all genres of music, I find inspiration in the greats; Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Huston and the new; Clare Bowen, Phildel, Gwyneth Herbert and Halestorm.
History
I left home at 17 to live in a convent - yes as a nun - no not really - the official job title was "Volunteer Youth Worker" I spent a year teaching kids to sing and helping them through their difficult times. That year gave me the confidence I needed to apply to Music Universities, something I previously hadn't thought I was good enough to do!
I attended The Institute of Contemporary Music, which was awesome, but my old self confidence issues came back in full force and I struggled through my time there.
When I left Uni I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to sing again, I stopped singing for 3 months and I missed it, I missed it so badly, that it was then that I realised that this was my self destruct button. I was on the right path, I had been all along, I just needed to approach it differently, so I applied to a job on gumtree that said "Singer and Exercise Leader needed in the croydon area"
My Work in Care Homes
I currently work as a "Singer and Exercise Leader" for the elderly, I sing to them everyday and in return a dementia patient who hasn't spoken in months will sing the chorus of "Somewhere over the rainbow" or I get a beaming smile from someone who can no longer control his or her own limbs.
The first day on the job I went to watch a session, at the start of the session one woman was extremely angry and grumpy, throughout the session I saw a smile start to appear and by the end of the session she was beaming in delight. In that moment I thought, I want to do that.
Now I get to do that everyday! It's not all smiles and roses though, it can be very difficult and heartbreaking, but I know that my voice makes them happy, and that's the gift I have to offer them.
Legacy
I want my story to be that of an amazing singer who influenced and inspired those around her with her music and creativity. I don't want to be "just another" anything, I want a career that lasts and keeps improving with age.
I invite you to come on my journey, be part of it, to influence it and experience it!
