Emily Zamourka
Emily Zamourka
Emily Zamourka is an opera singer. While she was homeless, the Los Angeles Police Department found her on camera singing opera in a public transport station in Los Angeles, California in September 2019. Video of her singing subsequently was shared widely on social media bringing national media attention to Zamourka. [10] [8] [3]
The Los Angeles Times reported that the video was recorded by an LAPD officer working at the Wilshire and Normandie Purple Line station. [8]
Early Life
Career
Zamourka had applied for political asylum and became a legal resident in 2008. When she was well enough to work again, she returned to teaching music from a Glendale apartment a friend helped pay for. [11]
She had fewer clients who were less consistent in their lessons, so she began to play the violin on the streets for extra cash.
The friend who had helped her financially died of a heart attack. One night, as she was playing the violin outside Clifton’s in downtown Los Angeles, someone took the instrument and broke it. [11]
In the Media
Zamourka states about the video of her going viral: [11]
I want to thank that police officer who did that video, and I wanted to thank God that he inspired me to do that