Emily Zamourka

Liudmila "Emily" Zamourka (née Grekova; born 1967/1968)[1] is a Moldovan-American singer and musician. She came to prominence in late September 2019 after an LAPD officer filmed and posted a video of her singing a Puccini aria at Wilshire/Normandie station. The video subsequently became popular over social media.

Emily Zamourka
Birth nameLiudmila Grekova
Born1967 or 1968 (age 55–56)
Moldavian SSR, USSR
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresOpera
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • violin
  • piano
Years active2019–present

Overview

In 1991 Zamourka moved from Moldova to the United States and became homeless in Los Angeles for two years when she suffered serious health problems and had to pay for her medical bills. The artist, who taught lessons in piano and violin, was forced to take up numerous jobs. She also said she ended up in the streets two or three years ago after an unknown vandal stole and destroyed her violin and with it her means of making money. Five GoFundMe pages helped Zamourka get off the streets and get her a new violin surpassed $80,000 towards the goal of $85,000. Since her subway singing, Zamourka performed at the unveiling of the Historic Little Italy sign in downtown San Pedro on Saturday October 5, 2019 before a live audience that praised her with uproarious applause. She performed there only one song: the same Puccini aria she sang on the viral video.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Recording offer

On October 3, 2019, two time Grammy nominated record producer Joel Diamond publicly offered Zamourka a recording contract.[8] Due to complications working with Zamourka, Diamond later withdrew his offer.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Homeless woman sings opera solo in the subway and it changes her life forever". See It Live. January 5, 2021.
  2. Flynn, Meagan. "'Like a miracle': Homeless woman's viral subway opera performance may get her off the streets". Washington Post.
  3. "Homeless singer has a viral moment on L.A. subway and, suddenly, new prospects". Los Angeles Times. October 1, 2019.
  4. Lapin, Tamar (September 30, 2019). "Mystery LA subway singer identified as homeless Russian musician".
  5. "LA's mystery subway singer tells her story after mesmerizing serenade goes viral". ABC7 Los Angeles. September 30, 2019.
  6. "LA subway singer in viral video shares story of hardship and hope". ABC7 Los Angeles. October 1, 2019.
  7. "From Russia To The US: Subway Singer Tells Her Own Story". September 30, 2019.
  8. Brewis, Harriet (Oct 3, 2019). "Homeless LA subway singer offered record contract after viral video". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved Feb 17, 2021.
  9. "Viral Subway Singer Loses Recording Contract After Bailing On Performance With Pete Townshend". Yahoo Entertainment. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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