Emily Wood

California native Emily Valenzuela (née Wood) has inspired audiences across the United States and internationally. Her vocal accolades include Third Place in the NATS-LA Competition and the Outstanding Member Award of Baylor Opera Theatre. Opera roles include Poppea and Fortuna in L’incoronazione di Poppea, the title role in Tom Cipullo’s Lucy, and Serpina in La serva padrona. As a concert soloist, she has sung in Bach’s Magnificat, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Bach’s BWV 150. Emily also had the honor to serve as a soloist in the world premiere of Christian Guebert’s Inscriptions at Carnegie Hall.

An avid and highly sought choral artist, Valenzuela has sung professionally as a Voces8 US Scholar, a member of the Pacific Chorale, and a section leader at Idyllwild Arts Festival’s Choral Intensive. She is in demand as a church musician with an extensive track record in music ministry across the United States, having served as soloist, choral singer, worship leader, and children’s choir director. She is also a founding member and the vice president of Vox Obscura, an early music consort based in Orange County.

Emily holds degrees from Baylor University, Concordia University Irvine, and Saddleback College with several awards and honors. She has studied voice with Amy Petrongelli, Karla Kniss, and Scott Farthing. Emily is blessed to live in Orange County with her husband Andres and miniature poodle Figaro, both of whom are also accomplished musicians.

For more about Emily as performer, composer, and teacher, see the drop-down menu under "About".