Emma Stuart, a 2024 Monte Vista alumni, has just dropped her first-ever album: Late Night Drives. It combines relatable lyrics with a retro-energizing beat, perfectly capturing the moods of every teenager. And when you realize that she’s only a freshman in college, her unique combination of instruments and harmonious vocals only becomes all the more impressive.
Stuart is currently pursuing her music career as a freshman at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While at Monte Vista, choir and marching band were a huge part of her life, and three years in these classes gave her some of the skills necessary to succeed in her musical field.
Her choir teacher, Rosalind Neisinger, saw firsthand Stuart’s growth and dedication to music and praised her ability to create distinctive pieces.
“I feel like her willingness to be herself, put herself out there, and create a sound that is herself and not trying to conform to what she thought others wanted her to sound like [was Stuart’s greatest strength,” Neisinger said.
Stuart further explained the reasoning behind her diverse use of sounds: “I listen to lots of different kinds of genres, and I think that exposure helps get me interested in different sounds.”
This is reflected in the development of her interest in music, which began with the soundtracks of video games, her favorite pastime in fifth grade. She later became attracted to Japanese EDM music in middle school, starting her involvement with the electronic music that is featured in her new album.
Interest in Stuart’s music has developed among some Monte Vista students. Rohan Goyal, a sophomore and music composer himself, shares his appreciation for her music, and how it inspires him.
“I would say it was probably more inspiring than anything because seeing someone come from the same place I’m coming from, doing something that I wanna do, it makes it feel possible,” Goyal said.
Stuart gives Monte Vista students looking to follow a similar path this advice:
“I think my advice would be to just learn as much as you can. Never stop learning and never pass on an opportunity, I think, like, just take every opportunity that you can. And even if you suck right now, which a lot of us do, you only suck for a little while, unless you keep working, and then you’ll get better.”
Additionally, as a bonus, Stuart gave us a peek into what we can expect from her in the near future. Listeners can look forward to the possibility of another electronic album from Stuart in the wintertime, as well as a piano suite.
