By Caroline Carter
News Editor
Succeeding in a career in music is a challenging task that requires hard work, determination and skill. Few are ever able to turn their passion into a career.
For 2007 Coppell High School graduate Emily Elbert, continuing her passion for singing and playing guitar has lead her to many unique endeavours. Most recently Elbert competed in the Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter competition which is a national competition for aspiring musicians.
“This is a unique competition because of its magnitude,” Elbert said. “The quality of the finalists is very high, and the prizes are remarkable. Being a top 10 finalist has been wonderful.”
With the chance to record an EP with producer Don Was, the competition received thousands of entries. Was has made albums with artists from the Rolling Stones to John Mayer. The winner also receives cash, music gear and the opportunity to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Guitar Center podcast.
“I’ve been on the road, so I haven’t seen any of it yet, but when I go to my parents’ house before [South by Southwest music festival in Austin] I’ll get to pick it all up,” Elbert said.
Since the competition began in October, Elbert has had a busy year so far.
“The first few months were all about online promo, trying to share my channel and earn votes,” Elbert said. “It was plenty of work, but it was so beautiful to see the fan support pouring in. Family and friends were so sweet and helpful. The competition started with about 10,000 entries, then that was narrowed to 100 semifinalists, and then it’s down to the top 10.”
Jennifer Elbert, Emily’s mother and substitute teacher for Coppell ISD, says Emily is no stranger to music competitions.
“Being selected for Guitar Center’s top 10 singer-songwriters this year is a nice honor, and it is one of a big stack of awards and competitions Emily has won over the years,” Jennifer said. “In 2010, Glamour Magazine selected Emily for their annual recognition of the country’s Top Ten College Women.”
Emily’s other recognitions and accomplishments include being named ‘Best New Artist of the Year’ by WUMB-FM radio in Boston in 2008. She also earned a four year full tuition scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, considered one of the world’s best schools for contemporary music. Emily has performed over 700 shows around the world. She has come a long way since performing at small events when she was a young teenager.
“Emily started performing for the fun of it in middle school at church coffeehouses and school talent shows,” Jennifer said. “She then began performing professionally at festivals and coffeehouses as a high school junior”
Like many choir members at CHS, Emily has participated in a variety of the singing groups on campus.
“I started in Select Women’s then did two years of Madrigals and one year of Vivace!,” Emily said. “I made great friends, learned some beautiful music and had some truly special experiences singing with that crew. By the time I got to college, I was pretty focused on my solo career, but I definitely sang in various capacities around school while I was in Boston.”
Since graduating from CHS, Emily’s passion for music has taken her all over the world including Italy and Indonesia.
Though Emily did not win the competition, the experience of placing in the top ten is an accomplishment she is very grateful for.
“Those moments onstage when you feel connected and alive, and you put your heart on your sleeve and give everything you can to share love with everyone in the room – that’s what keeps me going,” Emily said. “There’s a lot to be thankful for.”
