Emily Benford
Profile
About Emily: Emily Benford (aka Emily B) is an L.A.-based session singer, worship leader, songwriter, vocal director, arranger, and coach. As a highly sought-after Session Singer she has sung on many popular mov[more]Emily Benford (aka Emily B) is an L.A.-based session singer, worship leader, songwriter, vocal director, arranger, and coach. As a highly sought-after Session Singer she has sung on many popular movies and tv shows such as Pitch Perfect, Glee, The Prom, America's Got Talent, and American Idol, as well as various Disney cartoons, and on albums for Childish Gambino, Rachel Platten, and Neil Diamond, to name a few. For over 8 years, she has sung for Disney and Disney Parks, worldwide. She can be heard all throughout Disney's California Adventure Park during Christmastime, in their one and only "Mickey's Happy Holidays" parade!
Emily has also succeeded in front of the screen, finishing as a finalist on Season 1 of BET's Gospel-music competition "Sunday Best" and as a contestant on Season 6 of "The Voice". Through "The Voice" Emily was able to record her own versions of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" and Sara Bareilles' "Brave", which are both available on iTunes. Her recent tv performance was with The Samples Choir for the 94th Academy Awards "In Memoriam" segment.
When she's not busy in the singing and worship-leading world (at Saddleback Church), she works as a Vocal Coach and Director for the Commercial Music Department at California Baptist University, leads vocal workshops and speaks for various groups and churches in Southern California, and stays active with her husband, Roderick, and their three sons!
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Emily Benford Professor B
Music Releases: Wicked Game - Cover from "The Voice"
Brave - Cover from "The Voice"
My Artist Type: The Studious Craftsman
My Creative Work Type: The Enthusiastic Facilitator
Short Term Goals: To teach people everything I wish I had known when I first started in this industry.
Long Term Goals: Keep teaching, creating, recording and performing!
Artist Q&A
List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.I have m[more]List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.I have more than five but ONE of my top songs is Human Nature by MJ. The melody is EVERYTHING.
On the piano or guitar, do you understand how to build and/or play major and minor scales and chords starting on any note?
Yes
Proficiency in the art and craft of SongMaking requires some solid understanding of the entire process. Are there any parts of the process you find confusing, intimidating, or difficult? (i.e. from the initial song idea to producing, mixing and mastering?)
Yes. All keys :)
What instrument are you most proficient on? Also, do you sing at all (explain)?
Piano and yes, I have been known to sing a bit.
Do you know the basics of how to setup a new session then record, edit, route tracks, and assign plugins in Protools?
I started recording my own vocals from home back in 2019 and have loved getting more proficient with the entire process. Recording radio jingles and creating vocal isolations for the teams I direct have been the best practice for becoming quick and efficient at recording myself.
Which digital audio workstation (DAW) are you most familiar with and prefer using?
I'm a Logic girl but hope to gain more knowledge with using Pro Tools.
Do you tend to envy other artists or feel competitive with them, or are you supportive of others?
Comparison is the thief of all joy and can ruin our self-confidence and individuality. A moment of honesty: It's taken quite a few years for me to not be negatively affected by the opinions or success of others or to allow which jobs I did or didn't get hired for dictate how I felt about myself and my gifts. You truly have to have thick skin in this industry and the sooner you start celebrating the accomplishments of others, rather than coveting them, the more enjoyable this work will be and the more FREE and authentic you'll be in who you are and what you create!
What brings you the most joy in both life in general and as an artist?
That I get to express my emotions and thoughts through the universal language of music, inspire people with my voice, and use my experience to educate others.
What are your 3 favorite artists of all time? And why?
I'll go with my top three vocal influences: Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill and Pat Benatar
Have your parents been supportive of your artistry?
I'm thankful to have had parents who have supported my big dreams since I was a kid. They've been my biggest fans and have played a huge role in building my confidence in myself as an artist.
What are your thoughts or opinions on counseling/therapy/psychology?
Yes. Always and for everyone. Yes.
Do you plan to make music your full-time career? Do you have a Plan-B in terms of a career choice? If so, what is it?
I plan for music to remain my career, in one way or another, until the day I die.
Define success in the most personal and complete way possible. i.e. What is success to you?
Success is being able to freely and consistently do what I love. If I get paid to do it, then it's just an added bonus!
Besides music, what other artistic mediums to you enjoy working in?
I love writing and speaking.
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