Classical Crossover Tenor Daniel Emmet

Daniel Emmet impressed audiences when he accepted Simon Cowell’s challenge to learn a new song (in Italian no less) in only an hour. The success led to Daniel being a finalist on America’s Got Talent and perform to new audiences as a headliner in Las Vegas.

Natasha Barbieri: How much training in music did you have prior to going on America’s Got Talent?

Daniel Emmet: I started taking voice lessons when I moved to Las Vegas when I was 15 years old, and I have a Bachelor of Music degree from Chapman University, where I studied under world-renowned soprano, Carol Neblett. I continued to study with Carol up until she passed, right before I auditioned for America’s Got Talent. I owe so much of my musical knowledge to her, she truly was an unbelievable teacher and mentor.

Natasha Barbieri:  How did that experience shape you? Was there anything you wish you had known or been prepared for before?

Daniel Emmet: The experience of being a part of America’s Got Talent was without a doubt an emotional rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  It taught me so much about being ready for anything, and how to think outside the box as a classical crossover singer.

Natasha Barbieri:  If AGT hadn’t happened, how could you have envisioned your career?

Daniel Emmet: Without AGT, my career would have taken a different path, but the goals and the end result would be the same. Las Vegas calls me “the gateway drug to classical music” and that’s a badge I wear with honor. My number one goal with my music is to share the love that I have for classical music and opera through a pop-crossover lens, to give music lovers who may not be classical music lovers yet a taste of classical styles, and hopefully, after seeing one of my shows or concerts, they’ll be up for going to a symphony concert or an opera, and can continue to immerse themselves in more varieties of music. Long story short, my experience with AGT definitely helped accelerate my goals, but my goal has always been to share my music live with as many people as I possibly can.

Natasha Barbieri: Do you speak most of the languages you sing in or are they learned more phonetically (IPA etc)?

Daniel Emmet: Through my studies at Chapman University, I had great professors both in language and diction (IPA). I can speak conversational Italian and Spanish (although I am a little bit rusty, hopefully, once the world opens back up and we can travel internationally again I can dust off my language skills!), and I know a little bit of German, French, and Russian, but for those languages I do learn the music that I sing phonetically, working with a coach or through IPA depending on the material.

Natasha Barbieri: Who has been the biggest supporter in your career so far?

Daniel Emmet: That’s a great question. I would say my family first and foremost because a career in the arts is not an easy undertaking, there is a lot of sacrifice that goes into it, because if your heart and soul have to be committed to your music 110%, or you’re better off doing something else.  I feel very fortunate that my family has always understood that and been behind me in my dreams and goals 100%, because I know that is not always the case for every artist.  I also have been very fortunate to have incredible support from dear, close friends, from fans, and from colleagues in the industry, this incredible network of support is what drives me to be better with every show, to continue to prove to all of them that I am worthy of the support and love that they have shown me.

Natasha Barbieri: When it comes to your career so far, have you mainly gone at it from a very logical perspective, or have the moments been more defined by following your heart?

Daniel Emmet: When it comes to a career in music, I would say that as such as I would like logic to play a role in it, it is much more of a go with your gut kind of path.  The journey I have been on has taken twists and turns that I never saw coming, but I truly believe that if you approach every opportunity that comes your way (or that you seek out), with hard work, drive, and never take them for granted, then everything that happens, happens for a reason. 

Natasha Barbieri:  Who are the artists you listen to for inspiration and enjoyment?

Daniel Emmet: For me, there is something to learn from every artist, regardless of genre or generation, great entertainers are great entertainers. Growing up listening to artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban definitely inspired me to sing and helped me fall in love with that powerful, emotional sound that, to me, is synonymous with Classical music and Classical Crossover music.  But in the same breath, I have learned so much about performance, stagecraft, and delivery from studying artists like Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, I could go on and on forever on this subject.  And that goes hand in hand with artists I listen to for enjoyment. For example, the artists on my playlist I listen to right before I go onstage range from Lizzo, to Pavarotti, to Imagine Dragons, to Dua Lipa, to 2Cellos, to the Stones, to Adele. I want to learn from everyone because there is a reason that each one of those artists is a great artist.

Natasha Barbieri:  Crossover has really grown by leaps and bounds and it sometimes can be hard to define the genre because its reach is so big. What inherently makes an artist classical crossover in your opinion?

Daniel Emmet: That is a very good question.  To me, the hallmark of a classical crossover artist, is someone who delivers the power, and emotion, and vocal or instrumental excellence of classical music with a commercial flair, and blurs the lines between true classical with another genre, be it pop, rock, you name it. And I don’t think there’s one specific way to achieve that. I think that’s the beauty of classical crossover, is that it is almost undefinable, but when you see or hear true crossover, you know it.

Natasha Barbieri: Tell us a little bit about sharing the stage with Marie Osmond.

Daniel Emmet: Sharing the stage with Marie is a life-changing experience.  She is such a powerful presence, and she is a true legend in the music industry, but what is the most amazing thing about her, is how genuine and kind she is.  I learn so much every time I work with her, not only on stage, because it is a masterclass in performance, but how she treats everyone around her with respect and kindness. I am so thankful to her for everything she has taught me, and for allowing me to sing with her is an opportunity I will never take for granted. She is simply, the best.

Natasha Barbieri: Your own show “All that I am” premiered at Caesars Palace. What the process like crafting the arrangements and repertoire for it and how did you grow as a performer over the course of your tenure there?

Daniel Emmet: I am so lucky that I have a phenomenal music director, Jerry Williams, who I work with to build the music selections in my show.  He is an unbelievable musician and arranger, and we always focus on trying to find the right balance of music in my shows to create a journey that we and the audience go on together, the creative process of show building is hard work, but it is so rewarding to watch it come to life on stage. And on that note, as a performer, there is no substitute for performing live in front of an audience.  Having my own show at Caesars allowed me to have that opportunity to further develop my skills as an entertainer because the magic of a show isn’t always in the singing, it’s in the relationship you develop with your audience over the course of the show.  There is a magic to the energy that flies between the audience and the stage, and that energy will teach you just as music as any class or teacher can. 

Natasha Barbieri:  Away from singing, what are some of the areas that interest you. Do you collect anything?

Daniel Emmet: Honestly, for me, there’s not much time left in the day that doesn’t revolve around music, however, in the free time I have left, I love to read, and I’m old school, if I find a book I like, I want a hard copy. I also collect vinyl records, I love the history of them, and I love the sound.  Weather permitting, I love to hike, and I also love to cook (specifically Italian food, and I will challenge anyone out there to make a better meatball than the ones I make from my Grandma’s recipe).

Natasha Barbieri:  Is there something your fans don’t know about you, but you think is important to share?

Daniel Emmet: I’m a pretty open book when it comes down to it, and I hope that they already know this but I’ll say it again now, I wish I could thank each and every one of them, in person, for allowing me to spend my life making music. I really do get to live my dream every day.

Natasha Barbieri:  What are some of the things you’ve been proud to accomplish vocally and are you continuing to train to reach any other goals?

Daniel Emmet: I’m proud that I have worked on my craft and my sound to develop what I feel is a unique and authentic voice.  But I train every single day to be better because you are only as good as your last concert. As a tenor (who until about 3 years ago was a baritone, or baritenor, if you will) I’m always working to keep increasing, strengthening, and freeing those money notes, and I can’t wait to see how my voice will continue to develop with age.

Natasha Barbieri:  Are you currently working on any recording projects? If so, what would Daniel Emmet 2021 sound like?

Daniel Emmet: I am! I can’t say much just yet, but I can promise new music on all available streaming/digital download platforms this year! 2021 is off to a killer start, just this week I performed my first live, in-person concerts of the year, and I’m working on some interesting and challenging projects (doing some things I’ve never done before!), and more details will be available soon! Not to jinx it, but I feel that this year has some great things in store.

Continue to follow Daniel’s journey through his official website: danielemmet.com