SongVault Artist Profile

With the release of her debut recording Sonho (Dream), DC-based singer Emy Tseng establishes herself as a foremost interpreter of modern and Brazilian jazz. Emy sings in both Portuguese and English and is known for her music's relaxed vibe and sweet, wistful qualities. She regularly performs with DC's best jazz and Brazilian musicians.

Her musical influences include Paula Morelenbaum, Luciana Souza, Gal Costa, Elis Regina, Kate McGarry, Gretchen Parlato, Jonatha Brooke and Everything But the Girl.

Emy began classical piano at age four and started singing in high school. She continuing singing in chorus at Brown University while pursuing her degree in Math/Physics. While in graduate school at MIT, she also studied classical voice at the Longy School of Music and sang in early music ensembles in Boston and New York. In New York, she "discovered" jazz, started hanging out in jazz clubs and started her jazz studies with esteemed singer Jay Clayton. In NY, she first heard Luciana Souza and Paula Morelenbaum, fell in love with Brazilian music and decided to pursue it further.

Her subsequent teachers include singer Sandy Cressman and world-renowned Brazilian musicians: pianist Marcos Silva (Flora Purim & Airto) at the Jazz School in Berkeley, CA and bassist Nilson Matta (Trio da Paz, Joe Henderson) in New York. Upon moving to DC three years ago, she quickly became part of the DC jazz scene and credits local musicians such as Matvei Sigalov, Wayne Wilentz, David Jernigan and Leonardo Lucini for mentoring her and helping her develop her musical voice.