VOA标准英语2013--Musical Prodigy Emily Bear Wows Audiences Worldwide

 

Musical Prodigy¹ Emily Bear Wows Audiences Worldwide

While most kids her age are hanging out at the mall, playing video games, or carpooling with friends for a weekend of movies and soccer games, Emily is preparing for her next television or concert appearance, composing songs, launching a tour or sharing the studio with seasoned musicians.

Among them - Quincy Jones, who worked with Emily on her new album Diversity. A friend of Quincy’s heard the young pianist play one night and convinced him to meet her.  Working with the legendary² producer, Emily says, was one of the biggest thrills of her life.

“It was great.  He’s such a nice guy.  He’s like a walking encyclopedia³ of jazz music and history.  I learned so much from him,” she says.

Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Emily was already singing and playing piano by age two.  At age six, she was invited to play piano on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” displaying her range with classical, jazz and original music.  Her performance was such a hit that Ellen invited her back to the show five more times.  

Emily is in constant demand to play at venues⁴ around the world and she tries to fulfill⁵ as many requests as possible.

 “I love traveling," she admits. "I’ve seen China and Italy and France and London and Switzerland and Vienna.  Actually, we’re going with Quincy this summer to Switzerland for the Montreux Jazz Festival which is going to be a blast, and (then to) Korea and Japan.”

Emily Bear composed all of the songs on Diversity, including the track “Q” in honor of her mentor⁶ Quincy Jones.

The youngest of three children, Emily is currently being homeschooled by her mother.  Although time is tight, she still enjoys getting together with friends, watching movies and answering fan mail.  She says some people describe her music as life changing.

 “I love when they get inspired and they start playing piano again or they start playing an instrument," Emily remarks. " I love these e-mails I got from patients who have cancer, that use my music to relax during chemotherapy treatments.  I’m so glad it inspires people to do things.”

 Emily is currently studying film scoring and classical piano.  She will perform at the 2013 Montreux Jazz Festival on July 21, paying tribute to Quincy Jones on his 80th birthday and to the festival’s late founder⁷ Claude Nobs. 

1 prodigy   

n.惊人的事物，奇迹，神童，天才，预兆

参考例句：

• She was a child prodigy on the violin.她是神童小提琴手。
• He was always a Negro prodigy who played barbarously and wonderfully.他始终是一个黑人的奇才，这种奇才弹奏起来粗野而惊人。

2 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

3 encyclopedia   

n.百科全书

参考例句：

• The encyclopedia fell to the floor with a thud.那本百科全书砰的一声掉到地上。
• Geoff is a walking encyclopedia.He knows about everything.杰夫是个活百科全书，他什么都懂。

4 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

5 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

6 mentor   

n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导

参考例句：

• He fed on the great ideas of his mentor.他以他导师的伟大思想为支撑。
• He had mentored scores of younger doctors.他指导过许多更年轻的医生。

7 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。