Iva (musician)

From Wilmington, Delaware, Emily Tepe was born into a musical family as she was influenced by her grandfather, an oboe player and multi-instrumentalist who led ensembles throughout his life. One of his friends, Evelyn Swenson, a well-known composer and conductor at Opera Delaware, took Emily under her wing and put her on stage at the age of nine.[3]

Emily would start her music career at the age of nine by being mentored by Evelyn Swenson at the Opera Delaware, where she sang.[3] While producing music in her early years, Emily would train as a classical soprano at the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music and graduated from Princeton University's performance program.[4] Throughout her years of studying, she had been mentored by numerous notable teachers, including W. Stephen Smith, Kishti Tomita, and Don Marrazzo, who apprenticed with Celine Dion's vocal teacher William Riley.[5] At the end of her conservatory training, Emily would receive a Fulbright scholarship to study her ancestors' music in Sweden, where she lived for six years.[3]

Emily's first breakthrough was when she made her first appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.[2] On May 12, 2009, Emily released her first independent album, “Ivolution” which would be picked up by Universal Sweden.

In 2015, she was named the “Swedish American of the Year” for her contributions in the cultural exchange between Sweden and the United States.[6] Previous laureates include actress and singer Ann-Margret, lunar astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and E Street Band Member Nils Lofgren[4] On July 10, Emily released her EP "Leap".[2] Throughout her career she has collaborated with multiple Grammy Award-winning producers and highly acclaimed artists, such as Tim Sonnefeld, Jaron Olevsky, and Trey Pollard.[2]

Emily currently teaches voice, gives readings of her opera libretto, and leads workshops in singing and songwriting at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, The Brooklyn Music School, and private studio.[1] On January 28, 2022, Emily released the single "Run". In February 2022, IVA has announced her residency with Brooklyn Music School. As part of the residency, IVA will give a reading of her opera libretto and lead workshops in singing, songwriting, and performing with her band.

• Swedish American of the Year (2015)[1]