[1] From Wilmington, Delaware, Emily Tepe was born into a musical family as she was influenced by her grandfather, an oboe player and multi-instrumentalist who led ensembles throughout his life.

[citation needed] One of his friends, Evelyn Swenson, a well-known composer and conductor at Opera Delaware, took Emily under her wing and put her on stage at the age of nine.

[4] At the end of her conservatory training, Emily would receive a Fulbright scholarship to study her ancestors' music in Sweden, where she lived for six years.

[5] Previous laureates include actress and singer Ann-Margret, lunar astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and E Street Band Member Nils Lofgren[3] On July 10, Emily released her EP "Leap".

As part of the residency, IVA will give a reading of her opera libretto and lead workshops in singing, songwriting, and performing with her band.