Many children dream of being on stage. My claim to fame is winning the drama cup in junior school for playing a singing dog in ‘Give a Dog a Bone’ (but here I am publishing magazines)! Being able to perform in public is no doubt a great asset, something which boosts confidence and public speaking, which inevitably many of us have to do in life.
We met a young lady in Sunbury who at the tender age of 17 exudes confidence and maturity beyond her years and who is very used to performing in public. Emily Varney showed an interest in performing arts from the age of 3 when she started singing. She was enrolled at All Expressions Theatre School in Twickenham where her talent rapidly started to shine through. Along the way she auditioned for a role in The Sound of Music, didn’t get it, but met opera student (now professional) Tom Lowe, who took Emily under his wing and vowed to “beat the Disney out of her”.
He set upon teaching her the classics, Schubert amongst others, to expand her range and voice. She learns to sing in French, German, Italian and even Latin, learning the words phonetically, but understanding enough to know what sort of emotion to sing with. Fast forward to 2015. She passed her LAMDA grade 8 and achieved full marks in her Theory and she won ‘Young Performer of the Year’ at the Richmond Upon Thames Performing Arts Festival.
Emily also began teaching singing 18 months ago. At the moment she teaches under opera singer Sonia Jones, based in Chiswick. Emily is very enthusiastic about her teaching role which has involved her teaching pupils age anywhere between 6-60. She is currently at Esher College studying Music, Drama and Classic Civilisations and she is hoping to go on to study at a conservatoire or university and is currently applying for places. It is a very competitive market but then Emily is a very determined and able young lady!
Meanwhile, Emily is keen to find people in Sunbury who want to learn to sing. She will tutor them from her music room at the family home in Lower Sunbury. Her range of singing experience gives her an ideal platform for imparting her knowledge and helping individuals find their own style. She will help pupils find music to suit their voice and select pieces which will give a student confidence in their ability.
If you think Emily looks familiar, you may well have been served by her at the Walled Garden, where she worked in the café until last year or maybe it was from one of her memorable Christmas performances for the Rainbows at 1st Sunbury Brownies…
If you are interested in learning to sing, or improving your singing you can contact Emily by email: eplvarney@yahoo.co.uk or call 07956 547354.