A Los Angeles police officer working for the Metro Transit Authority was out on patrol in the subway recently when he noticed a homeless woman belting out an incredible opera song.
Her singing was so mesmerizing that he couldn’t resist stopping to record the impromptu performance.
The video was later posted to the LAPD Twitter where it instantly started going viral.
“4 million people call LA home. 4 million stories. 4 million voices…sometimes you just have to stop and listen to one, to hear something beautiful,” the Tweet reads.
People couldn’t believe how good the woman’s voice was.
Everyone was curious how such a talented person could end up destitute and homeless, living out on the streets of LA. After a little digging, reporters found the answer.
It turns out, the 52-year-old’s name is Emily Zamourka.
She came to the United States as an immigrant from Russia back when she was 24 and spent most of her life working as a piano and violin instructor. She managed several jobs while trying to make ends meet, but when her violin was stolen and her health took a turn for the worse one day, she found herself out of options.
“That’s when I became homeless. When I could not actually pay any of my bills and could not pay any more of my rent,” Zamourka told ABC7.
Zamourka was quickly evicted from her apartment.
On the streets and without a violin to perform with, she decided to begin singing.
While she was never classically trained, her appreciation for music has always been one of the most important parts of her life and she couldn’t bear to give it up.
“I am sleeping actually on the cardboard right now, in the parking lot,” Zamourka said. “I am sleeping where I can sleep… I have people that feel sorry for me, but I don’t want to be a burden to anybody.”
When Zamourka heard that the video of her singing at the metro stop in Koreatown went viral, she was shocked.
Becoming a social media star was pretty much the last thing she ever expected to happen. Judging by the incredible Twitter responses though, it might be the very thing that ends up allowing her to finally get back on her feet.
I’ve seen her for years on the Metro. I heard her once singing “Ave Maria” and thought it was a radio at first. Everyone has a story…this woman does too. I don’t know why she’s been homeless all these years, but she’s a human being…that’s all that matters
— Kara Miller (@Kara37078289) September 28, 2019
Many others chimed in as well noting how they would love to help her out.
If we had to guess, it won’t be long until some kind individual reaches out and offers her assistance or a new job in the music industry.
“I will be so grateful to anyone who is trying to help me to get off the streets, and to have my own place, to have my instrument,” said Zamourka.
Almost everyone goes through hard times in life. It’s pretty much a universal phenomenon. However, just because you find yourself in a tough situation doesn’t mean you should ever stop pursuing your dreams. That’s what Zamourka’s story proves. Even though she is currently homeless, making music is her passion, and she will always find a way to keep going.
Check out the viral video of Emily Zamourka singing at the metro stop below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
4 million people call LA home. 4 million stories. 4 million voices…sometimes you just have to stop and listen to one, to hear something beautiful. pic.twitter.com/VzlmA0c6jX
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) September 27, 2019
