Emily Jordan Bear
Composer, Piano Performer, Songwriter
To describe Emily Bear as ‘a talented young musician’ would understate both her past accomplishments and her potential for the future. At age 16, Bear has recorded seven albums spanning the classical, jazz, and Broadway music genres, composed hundreds of original musical pieces, and performed on piano at the White House and world-famous music venues. And the best may be yet to come. Her mentor, Grammy-winning musician and producer Quincy Jones predicts “there are no limits to the musical heights that she can reach.”
For Bear, it all began with learning to play the piano in her home in Rockford. Bear composed her first song at age three and was a published composer by the time she was four. At age five, Bear made her professional performing debut on the piano at the Ravinia Festival. She performed at the White House for President George W. Bush as a six-year-old. A few short years later, she debuted at Carnegie Hall, performing her own original composition. Since that time, Bear has won numerous ‘young composer’ awards for both jazz and classical music.
Bear’s extraordinary musical gifts attracted the attention of musical greats across the performing arts, several of whom have taught her and nurtured her professional development. In addition to mentor Quincy Jones, Bear works with Yoheved Kaplinsky, the head of the piano department at Juilliard School, and Mary Sauer, the former principal keyboardist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Bear leads her own jazz trio and is also interested in scoring music for films.
Her television performances include appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (six times), The Queen Latifah Show, Dancing with the Stars, and The Disney Channel.
For more information, visit Emily’s website. The site includes links to her social media, including her YouTube channel where you can preview her music.
Emily is a 2018 Laureate nominee.
Emily Bear Performances
Emily Bear plays the American classic Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. The performance took place on Christmas Eve, 2014 when she was 13.
While she is classically trained, Emily Bear’s musical abilities and interests also extend to jazz. This concert took place in Stuttgart, Germany, July 2015.
Emily Bear at age twelve, playing two pianos at once. Her feet are playing both sets of pedals!
Emily Bear performs at Quincy Jones soirée honoring Angela Missoni, creative director.