An LAPD officer filmed a homeless woman singing a famous Puccini opera aria. The powerful song was tweeted and has since gone viral with nearly 1,000,000 views.
SGT Guzman enjoyed her singing so much he felt compelled to capture it on film and sharing it with the world. This short video clip is sure to move you:
The homeless woman has been identified as Emily Zamourka, said to be an immigrant who’d moved to the US a number of years ago. She fell across hard times and became homeless after her violin was stolen. She struggled with health issues and tried to make a living performing on street corners in Los Angeles with her violin.
It’s been reported that she enjoys singing in the metro as the acoustics and platform remind her of her days singing and playing violin on stage.
Emily said, “I will be so grateful to anyone who is trying to help me to get off the streets, and to have my own place, to have my instrument.”
A GoFundMe page is raising money now helping her get a hand up. And a musician touched by the video is wanting to donate a violin so that she becomes self supporting. Many people believe Emily was ‘discovered’ singing in the subway being a gift to the world.