Emma Veary

Veary was a child prodigy, singing in church before she was old enough to go to school. Her early role models were sopranos Deanna Durbin and Jeanette MacDonald. Her parents, both of Hawaiian ancestry, encouraged her, but did not have the financial means to provide her with musical training. She was put on a career path by teacher Irmgard (Gardie) Thompson, leading to her singing on the radio and receiving favorable recognition. At age 10, she was profiled in The Honolulu Advertiser, resulting in a music scholarship at Punahou School.{{cite news |last1=Crost |first1=Lyn |title=10-Year Old 'Hawaiian Songbird' Attracts Music-Lovers' Attention |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18627782/10_year_old_emma_veary_hawaiian/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=December 18, 1940 |page=3}}{{free access}}; {{cite news|last=Crost|first=Lyn |title=Punahou Scholarship Given Little Songbird |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21151327/punahou_scholarship_given_little/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=December 19, 1940 |page=1}}{{free access}}; {{cite news|last=Crost|first=Lyn |title=Emma Veary Wins Punahou Music Course (cont. from p. 1) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21151440/emma_veary_wins_punahou_music_course/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=December 19, 1940 |page=9}}{{free access}}

During World War II, she was a USO performer while enrolled at Kamehameha School For Girls, and joined with musicians such as John Kameaaloha Almeida to entertain the troops at Hawaii military installations.{{cite news |title=Young Singer Big Star Of Red Hill Show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21164300/emma_veary_performs_with_johnny_almeida/|access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=August 29, 1942 |page=8}}{{free access}}; {{cite news |title=Parade of Juvenile Stars|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21151237/parade_of_juvenile_stars_1944/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=August 4, 1944 |page=10}}{{free access}}

As a teenager, Veary was sent to New York City to be trained at Carnegie Hall as a lyric Coloratura soprano.{{cite news |title=Emma Veary On Her Way |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21164524/emma_veary_on_her_way/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=August 20, 1945 |page=12}}{{free access}} There, she was exposed to the Broadway theatre productions of that era, and aspired to expand her repertoire to be inclusive of multiple forms of vocal expression.{{cite news |last1=Fleck |first1=Chris |title=Emma Veary {{!}} Old Friends {{!}} Midweek.com |url=http://archives.midweek.com/content/columns/oldfriends_article/emma_veary/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=archives.midweek.com |date=May 11, 2011}}

Upon her return home, Veary appeared one evening a week on radio station KGMB with Andy Cummings.{{cite news |title=Big Radio Show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21164907/big_radio_show_andy_cummings_emma/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |issue=2 |date=November 16, 1947}}{{free access}} She enrolled at Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1949,{{cite news |title=Roosevelt Grads to Wear Caps And Gowns at Program Thursdayn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21190366/roosevelt_grads_1949/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=June 6, 1949 |page=7}}{{free access}} subsequently enrolling in the University of Hawaii as a music major.{{cite news |title=Preparing for Recitals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21210127/emma_vearyh_preparing_for_recitals/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=December 10, 1950 |page=32}}{{free access}} In 1951, she married United States Navy aviator Robert Moss and moved with him to California.{{cite news |title=Emma M K Veary wed USN Ensign Robert Moss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18627387/emma_m_k_veary_wed_usn_ensign_robert/ |access-date=June 23, 2018|date=August 27, 1951|work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |page=11}}{{free access}} For the next several years, she raised her two daughters and performed in stage productions, occasionally returning to Hawaii.{{cite news |title=Isle Songbird Returns for 'Aloha Hawaii' Role |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21196609/isle_songbird_returns_for_aloha/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=June 27, 1960 |page=16}}{{free access}} Veary divorced in 1963 and moved to New York to resume her career in stage musicals.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Ben |title=Talented Emma Veary is a show business veteran |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21197170/talented_emma_veary_is_a_show_business/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=April 26, 1967 |page=35}}{{free access}}

In the 1960s, Veary returned to live in Hawaii, marrying local radio personality J. Akuhead Pupule, and becoming a staple in local stage productions and Waikiki hotel showrooms.{{cite news |title=Emma Veary Enhances Monarch Room's Show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21210898/emma_veary_enhances_monarch_rooms_show/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=May 3, 1967|page=67}}{{free access}}; {{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Eddie |title=Note To You |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21210964/eddie_sherman_emma_veary_and_aku_wed/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Newspapers.com |date=June 23, 1968 |page=27}}{{free access}} In a 1966 stage production of Flower Drum Song, Veary assumed the role of Helen Chao, with James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki and Jack Soo reprising their movie roles.{{cite news |title=Isle performers cast in 'Flower Drum Song' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21215290/isle_performers_cast_in_flower_drum/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=April 5, 1966 |page=54}}{{free access}} When reviewing her show at the Coral Terrace of the Halekulani on the beach at Waikiki, The Honolulu Advertiser entertainment editor Wayne Harada referred to her as, "a diamond in the proper setting".{{cite news |last1=Harada |first1=Wayne |title=regal Emma's a real delight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21211495/regal_emmas_a_real_delight/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Newspapers.com |date=December 4, 1972 |page=31}}{{free access}} In 1980, Veary was still associated with the Halekulani and married to businessman Richard Ireland.{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Don |title=dis and dot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21211899/emma_marries_richard_ireland/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |page=3}}{{free access}}

She collaborated with music entrepreneur Jack de Mello, on a number of her record albums.{{cite news |title=Jack de Mello Presents Emma |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21189246/advertisement_music_of_hawaii/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=January 17, 1973 |page=78}}

Veary retired to Maui, but remains an active performer. In 2010, she gave a concert at the Baldwin Home on Maui.{{cite news |title=Legendary Hawaiian vocalist to perform free concert Thursday - LahainaNews.com {{!}} News, Information, Lahaina and Western Maui, Hawaii — Lahaina News |url=http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/500961/Legendary-Hawaiian-vocalist-to-perform-free-concert-Thursday.html?nav=14 |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Lahaina News |date=June 7, 2010}} In 2018, she performed with Robert Cazimero in Wailea.{{cite news |title=This is what happens when two legends meet {{!}} News, Sports, Jobs - Maui News |url=http://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2018/02/this-is-what-happens-when-two-legends-meet/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Maui News |date=February 27, 2018}}

• 1994 – The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=John |title=Lifetimes of Musical Achievement |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21134016/lifetimes_of_musical_achievement/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=June 24, 1994 |page=18}}{{free access}}; {{cite news |title=Luncheon: Veary, Kenny Feted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21134119/luncheon_veary_kenny_feted/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin at Newspapers.com |date=June 24, 1994 |page=20}}{{free access}}
• 2004 – The Emma Veary Music Scholarship was established at University of Hawaii Maui College.{{cite web |title=Emma Veary Music Scholarship Established at UH Maui College {{!}} University of Hawai'i Foundation |url=https://www.uhfoundation.org/news/emma-veary-music-scholarship-established-uh-maui-college |website=The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation |publisher=The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation}}
• 2006 – Inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.{{cite news |last1=Moreno |first1=Loren |title=2006 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21226112/2006_hawaiian_music_hall_of_fame/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=July 17, 2007 |page=27}}{{free access}}; {{cite news |last1=Moreno |first1=Loren |title=2006 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Inductees (cont.) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21226204/2006_hawaiian_music_hall_of_fame/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser at Newspapers.com |date=July 17, 2007 |page=31}}

Partial listing

;Video

• Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox, Emma Veary (Oct. 21, 2008} PBS Hawaii {{cite web |title=Emma Veary |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1420045-Emma-Veary?layout=sm |website=Discogs|access-date=June 20, 2018}}; {{cite web |title=LONG STORY SHORT WITH LESLIE WILCOX Emma Veary {{!}} PBS Hawai'i |url=https://www.pbshawaii.org/long-story-short-with-leslie-wilcox-emma-veary/ |website=PBS Hawai‘i|date=15 September 2014 |access-date=June 23, 2018}}

;Albums

• Emma At The Royal (1976) Lehua {{cite web |title=Emma At The Royal |url=https://www.discogs.com/Emma-Emma-At-The-Royal/release/6299236 |website=Discogs |access-date=June 23, 2018 }}
• This Is Hawaii Volume III (1978) Music of Polynesia {{cite web |title=Emma* - This Is Hawaii Volume III |url=https://www.discogs.com/Emma-This-Is-Hawaii-Volume-III/release/5700228 |website=Discogs |access-date=June 23, 2018 }}
• Jack de Mello Presents Emma: My Heart Belongs to Hawaii (1973) Music of Polynesia
• Jack de Mello Presents Emma: Here In This Enchanted Place (1973) Music of Polynesia
• Jack De Mello Presents The Best Of Emma: A Collection Of 25 Hawaiian Classics (1996) The Mountain Apple Company{{cite web |title=Emma* - Jack De Mello Presents The Best Of Emma: A Collection Of 25 Hawaiian Classics |url=https://www.discogs.com/Emma-Jack-De-Mello-Presents-The-Best-Of-Emma-A-Collection-Of-25-Hawaiian-Classics/release/10829924 |website=Discogs |access-date=June 23, 2018 }}

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{{Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame}}

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Category:20th-century American musicians

Category:American radio personalities

Category:Music of Hawaii

Category:Musicians from Honolulu

Category:Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners

Category:Native Hawaiian musicians

Category:People from the Territory of Hawaii

Category:1930s births

Category:Living people

Category:Native Hawaiian women