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World Renowned Opera Singer Comes Home to WT

amarillo.com

Emily Pulley has traveled the world doing what she loves—singing. 

Pulley’s journey began at West Texas State University.  Although she loved to sing, her dad wasn’t sure she could make a living at it, so she planned to earn a master’s degree in English and teach according to an article from WT. 

She worked at a coffee shop, sang with a folk band, and was living at home when an application for the Metropolitan Opera competition came in the mail.  She entered, and despite a case of strep throat, won districts, then regionals, making it all the way to nationals where she was one of two sopranos selected.

Pulley’s Met debut was in 1994, and she hasn’t stopped singing since.

The College Station native still has a soft spot for the Texas Panhandle.  She returns to WT to teach master classes, sharing the lessons she learned from her voice teacher Dr. Elsa Porter.  She gives this advice about following life’s calling.

“You have to sing because you love to sing and not because it’s going to lead to something else,” Pulley said. “There’s no quicker way to lose your joy in what you are doing than by comparing yourself to other people. Don’t take things personally. It will steal your joy.”

Emily Pulley is one of WT’s Distinguished Alumni.  She will be honored at this summer’s June reunion. 

Further details about Emily Pulley are available from WT.