Emily Perkins in Baltimore Rising Artist Series
Emily Perkins is a dynamic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist based in Washington D.C. With a style rooted in tradition and shaped by modern influences, she brings warmth, intention, and storytelling to the stage.
Emily’s first serious endeavor was the piano. By high school, she was performing professionally as an accompanist, appearing in theaters, community ensembles, and chamber groups throughout Southwest Michigan. She turned her focus to developing her voice shortly after college, immersing herself in the jazz communities of El Paso, Chicago, and New York City where she gained experience as both a soloist and ensemble singer. These experiences deepened her commitment to the genre and shaped her artistic identity as a vocalist moving forward.
Since enlisting in the Army in 2015, Emily’s career has taken her around the world as both a pianist, percussionist, clarinetist, and vocalist, performing across the U.S., Mexico, Iraq, Kuwait, Switzerland, the Maldives, and Finland. In 2023, she joined the U.S. Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra The Jazz Ambassadors as their featured vocalist, and tours both nationally and internationally to preserve and promote America’s greatest art form.
From classic swing to modern interpretations, Emily’s performances reflect her versatility and passion for connecting with audiences through the evolving language of jazz.