About Emma Rae

Emma Rae is your new favorite piano-focused singer-songwriter. She has a smokey, evocative voice that reminds some people of Norah Jones. Emma is one of the most exciting young performers working in North Carolina today and will become a full-time musician after graduation. Singing and playing from an even younger age, Emma was initially encouraged by her parents. You can watch the start of her journey on this touching TikTok, a short documentary that also looks at the creation of her amazing single, The Chase. Emma is funny and bubbly in person yet does not dodge the difficult, emotional ups and downs of life in her songwriting, as you can see below.

This should have been over before it even started

Should have said our goodbyes before we even parted

Did we get wrapped up in the idea of what this could be

Or were we just blind, everyone else could see

That we were wildly different pieces of a puzzle
The Chase

In interviews, Emma's personable self-confidence shines through and it is clear she loves writing, performing and also producing music. Emma has a packed touring and performing calendar throughout 2026 which you can find here.  

Emma has the most amazing life story already. She has two metal rods in her back due to a genetic disorder, scoliosis:-

“I can't bend it - which comes with challenges: can't lift heavy objects, so as a gigging musician it makes me dependent on others, and gives me chronic neck and back pain that I battle every day. I grew up doing musical theatre but after my surgeries, I obviously had some physical restrictions on dancing, so I pivoted to doing music, where my disability didn't matter and I could still share my art. A lot of my personality and positivity stems from the resilience I've built from having to suffer through lots of medical issues at such a young age. I grew up only listening to the Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel, and other oldies artists, with a lot of Jack Johnson thrown in.”

Emma's whole family are a big part of her journey. Her grandad is very supportive and inspires some of her music. He passed his record player down to her when she was 14 plus 100 vinyls, tapes, and probably 200+ CDs he'd collected since the '70s.

Check her out now on your favorite streaming service!
Bio by Paul Dettman, UK

Recent Accomplishments 

• Headlining R&R Festival Series with the Town of Apex on August 15, 2026
• Heading to Nashville for her first “touring” gig at Kimbro’s! 
• “The Chase” to be featured on 97.9 The Hill, WKNC, and CBS news (live performance)
• Sold out The Cary Theatre with “Nashville Hit Songwriter’s” 
• Scouted by CBS local news and performed an original song and interview live on Raleigh’s “My Carolina”, see interview on EPK. 
• Brand collaboration with Altar’d State performing at their grand opening in Raleigh; Emma Rae's songs will now be played in all stores, nationwide. 
• Musical Performer at Koka Booth for their annual 4th of July Celebration with 25,000+ attendees 
• Recorded “The Chase” with 2x Grammy winning producer, Brad Cook 
• EP to come…
• Booked 59+ gigs in 2025 
• Performed 3x at NC State’s Packapalooza with 80,000 attendees