Born in London to a piano teacher mother, music has been at the heart of Emily’s life from the very beginning. She was playing classical piano before she could walk and spent her childhood performing and competing across the UK. She studied for 12 years under renowned Royal Northern College of Music tutor Judith Burton, laying a strong classical foundation from an early age. A true multi-instrumentalist, she also trained in flute, violin, and saxophone, developing a broad and versatile musical skill set.
Everything changed when Emily saw Fame the Musical in London as a teenager. Captivated by the energy and storytelling of musical theatre, she shifted her focus from classical performance to the stage. At 16, she was accepted into the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, going on to tour the UK in leading roles in productions such as Return to the Forbidden Planet, Sweet Charity, and Aladdin.
Between shows, Emily also performed in a pop band alongside Italia Conti classmates Mark Ballas and Derek Hough, who would later gain fame as Dancing with the Stars professionals. Their collaboration led to a record deal with Disney’s Hollywood Records and a move to Los Angeles, where they released their debut album as Ballas Hough Band and embarked on a U.S. national tour.
After the band parted ways, Emily continued her career as a background vocalist and keyboardist, touring and performing with major pop acts including Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, and Victoria Justice. During this time, she also focused on writing—from pop songs to classical piano and musical theatre.
In 2013, she began touring with singer-songwriter Christina Perri—a connection that quickly grew into a lasting friendship and creative partnership. Over the past decade, the two have toured, recorded, and co-written across multiple projects. Today, the duo are focused on creating music for film and television, including an upcoming, highly anticipated animated children’s TV show.