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Emily LaPorte Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Emily LaPorte
Mimi ONeill
May 23, 2020
Memorial - For Emily Hayden by Mimi ONeill
It is with a heavy heart that I write a memorial for my dear student, Emily Hayden, whose life has now been tragically cut short. I only knew Emily and her family through my role as her voice teacher, however, I taught Emily for a good deal of time - over two years of focused, on-going work, training her voice and developing her musical capacity. Throughout this time, Emily was always a dedicated and lovely person to work with, sincere, and enthusiastic, and I always looked forward to working with her at her lessons! I enjoyed her many qualities, her humor, her practical sense of things, and her discernment concerning music and how it should be done - to name a few. Since she began her training with me, she made wonderful progress in all the dimensions of her vocal and musical study. I came to believe that she was born to do music; it was her great joy! Had she lived, she most certainly would have prospered with a further musical education at Hartwick College in which she was enrolled starting this Fall.
We all know that Emily loved to sing and that she possessed a beautiful voice. In my world of voice teaching, she possessed a really good voice; with great range and tonal capacity. Her voice opened up beautifully over these two years and was on course to be a substantial instrument, with full dramatic and even operatic scope. And, Emily was also very musical. This means that she could easily pick up a melody and that she could remember a musical phrase correctly. It also means that she could take direction well and that with direction, she could imbue a song with its authentic expression and nuance. She had the gift.
Emily loved to perform as a soloist but also very much enjoyed singing in the large honor choirs and school ensembles in which she excelled. She took pleasure in being always one of the strongest singers in a group, including easily carrying the top- most line in a given piece, and being the singer that her directors could rely on to hold things together. She participated in NYSMA - the New York State School Music Association auditions each year, performing at a high level that earned her participation in these honor choirs. She was also selected to sing in Melodies of Christmas, the televised, live- broadcast holiday concerts, at Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY, a prestigious honor for high school singers. She delighted in this and prepared diligently for these choir rehearsals and performances!
I often listened to Emily share her stories about singing in these various choirs and performances and her critique, praise, and analysis of rehearsal etiquette and the conductors skills. She always was forthcoming with her opinion about them and their ability to make things work or not work at a rehearsal! She loved her teachers and directors at her highschool, and, I believe, they must have loved her, too!
Another story I can recount is when we were preparing her college auditions last Fall. There was one piece that we hadnt worked on for over a year that she had sung at her last years NYSMA audition. We pulled it out just to see what shape it was in. Right there, in the moment, she sang this complex and beautiful Gluck piece perfectly from memory with everything still in place; the notes, the text, the nuance, the beautiful tone, and the expression. I was duly amazed!
As Emily was leaving her last lesson with me, I invited her to sing at my Summer Recital, usually scheduled for sometime this June. This was, of course, postponed, and never scheduled because of the virus.
The other thing I remember saying to her as she went out the door after that last lesson with me, If it doesnt work out for you to sing at the Recital, dont leave for college without saying good bye!
In one instant, a young womens life has been taken from her and she has been taken from all of us. We are left with our precious memories of Emily. I am sad about what now will not be. However, I am grateful for what was; that Emily was engaged in music study that gave her satisfaction and joy, that she was aware of her musical accomplishments, her achievements in school, her dedicated love and support from friends and teachers, and a truly loving family at home! What gives me some peace is knowing that I worked with her in the musical arena that she loved and that inspired her. We had a great time and we had fun! We did meaningful, interesting, and amazing work with such good camaraderie! I will always value and remember the good times and experiences we had! I will miss her!
I offer my deepest condolences to her loving family and friends, and to all those who hold her dear!
Sincerely,
Mimi ONeill, The Mimi ONeill Studio of Voice
Billy and Barb Pfeiffer
May 23, 2020
mily was such a great person. Everyone who was close to her knew that they would have someone who would always be by their side and never give up on them. Her talent in music was immense too. We are all gonna miss her, but shes up leading the choir in heaven.
Donna and Mary
May 23, 2020
To Emilys family,
There are no words that can comfort you during this unexpected loss of a young life.
May you always keep a song in your heart as Emilys voice was her gift.
A former tamarac student and her family
Jocelyn
May 22, 2020
I'm so, so sorry for your loss of Emily. My thoughts, prayers and love to you all.
Mimi O'Neill
May 21, 2020
Memorial - For Emily Hayden by Mimi ONeill
It is with a heavy heart that I write a memorial for my dear student, Emily Hayden, whose life has now been tragically cut short. I only knew Emily and her family through my role as her voice teacher, however, I taught Emily for a good deal of time - over two years of focused, on-going work, training her voice and developing her musical capacity. Throughout this time, Emily was always a dedicated and lovely person to work with, sincere, and enthusiastic, and I always looked forward to working with her at her lessons! I enjoyed her many qualities, her humor, her practical sense of things, and her discernment concerning music and how it should be done - to name a few. Since she began her training with me, she made wonderful progress in all the dimensions of her vocal and musical study. I came to believe that she was born to do music; it was her great joy! Had she lived, she most certainly would have prospered with a further musical education at Hartwick College in which she was enrolled starting this Fall.
We all know that Emily loved to sing and that she possessed a beautiful voice. In my world of voice teaching, she possessed a really good voice; with great range and tonal capacity. Her voice opened up beautifully over these two years and was on course to be a substantial instrument, with full dramatic and even operatic scope. And, Emily was also very musical. This means that she could easily pick up a melody and that she could remember a musical phrase correctly. It also means that she could take direction well and that with direction, she could imbue a song with its authentic expression and nuance. She had the gift.
Emily loved to perform as a soloist but also very much enjoyed singing in the large honor choirs and school ensembles in which she excelled. She took pleasure in being always one of the strongest singers in a group, including easily carrying the top- most line in a given piece, and being the singer that her directors could rely on to hold things together. She participated in NYSMA - the New York State School Music Association auditions each year, performing at a high level that earned her participation in these honor choirs. She was also selected to sing in Melodies of Christmas, the televised, live- broadcast holiday concerts, at Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY, a prestigious honor for high school singers. She delighted in this and prepared diligently for these choir rehearsals and performances!
I often listened to Emily share her stories about singing in these various choirs and performances and her critique, praise, and analysis of rehearsal etiquette and the conductors skills. She always was forthcoming with her opinion about them and their ability to make things work or not work at a rehearsal! She loved her teachers and directors at her highschool, and, I believe, they must have loved her, too!
Another story I can recount is when we were preparing her college auditions last Fall. There was one piece that we hadnt worked on for over a year that she had sung at her last years NYSMA audition. We pulled it out just to see what shape it was in. Right there, in the moment, she sang this complex and beautiful Gluck piece perfectly from memory with everything still in place; the notes, the text, the nuance, the beautiful tone, and the expression. I was duly amazed!
As Emily was leaving her last lesson with me, I invited her to sing at my Summer Recital, usually scheduled for sometime this June. This was, of course, postponed, and never scheduled because of the virus.
The other thing I remember saying to her as she went out the door after that last lesson with me, If it doesnt work out for you to sing at the Recital, dont leave for college without saying good bye!
In one instant, a young womens life has been taken from her and she has been taken from all of us. We are left with our precious memories of Emily. I am sad about what now will not be. However, I am grateful for what was; that Emily was engaged in music study that gave her satisfaction and joy, that she was aware of her musical accomplishments, her achievements in school, her dedicated love and support from friends and teachers, and a truly loving family at home! What gives me some peace is knowing that I worked with her in the musical arena that she loved and that inspired her. We had a great time and we had fun! We did meaningful, interesting, and amazing work with such good camaraderie! I will always value and remember the good times and experiences we had! I will miss her!
I offer my deepest condolences to her loving family and friends, and to all those who hold her dear!
Sincerely,
Mimi ONeill, The Mimi ONeill Studio of Voice
Nicole M
May 21, 2020
Such a beautiful girl. Her biological cousin is my daughter she never got a chance to know her but Allie (her older cousin) and I are so sorry for your loss and our hearts are breaking.
Ashley Schweizer
May 21, 2020
It doesnt feel real that your gone. Ive remembered every time we hung out, or when you comforted me in my time of need, or when I comforted you. Such a talented amazing person. I hope you find your Nirvana wherever you are babes ❤Remeberinng you always.
Karl
May 21, 2020
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Duncan family
May 21, 2020
Emily was a funny,talented,sweet,beautiful, unique person. Despite all the challenges she has had to face, she overcame so much, and had such a bright future ahead of her. She was a close friend to my twin daughters, as well as several others and their friendship taught me a lot about being there for each other no matter what. They are heartbroken and I hurt for them. I am so very sorry to Emily's family. It's wonderful to have had her light shine for 17 years, but so hard to see it extinguished so soon. I cannot imagine it. With deepest sympathy- The Duncans
Kimberly Fisher
May 21, 2020
Dyana, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you laughing and talking about your baby sister way back in 2008 when we were in MURAP together. The joy and care that was in your voice when you spoke about her made it clear that she was such a special and cherished child to you and your family. Holding you all in the light.
Cathy Bob
May 21, 2020
Praying for Emilys family.
A mother
May 21, 2020
So very sorry for your loss - She sounds like she was a wonderful person - A life gone to soon - May she Rest in Peace
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