Alumni Updates

FLEX Alum Emin Connects Cultures Through Music

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The performing arts career of Emin, a FLEX alumni from Azerbaijan, reflects countless hours of hard work and an unrelenting desire to connect the world through music.

This article was originally published in the Bradley Herald the hub for FLEX alumni and their stories.

Emin, a young performer and FLEX alumni from Azerbaijan, has spent years touring with musical greats and recording his own music. But now, Emin is rehearsing for perhaps his biggest performance to date: preparing to study musical theater at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles this year on a full scholarship.

Currently, Emin studies voice in Baku, Azerbaijan with renowned Azerbaijani opera singer Fidan Kassimova: soon he will release an album of four original songs. He has also recently been awarded the monthly Azerbaijani Presidential Grant; with his name included in the "Golden Book" of Azerbaijan's young talents.

The story may resemble a classic Hollywood narrative a young budding artist with a dream about to make it big but each development in Emin's performing arts career reflects countless hours of hard work, dedication, and an unrelenting desire to connect the world through music.

A Year of Musical Exchange
Emin, a FLEX exchange student from Baku, Azerbaijan, developed relationships with his American host community in Marshall, Texas that would change the trajectory of his budding performing arts career.

"I felt very welcome in my American high school and there I spoke a lot about Azerbaijan. Back in Baku, I regularly tell people about American traditions and my FLEX year. Last year, I put on a Thanksgiving celebration with my family in Azerbaijan," Emin says. "It's great to belong to both communities. I want to continue sending this message through music."

Emin developed lasting bonds while living in the US, especially with his host mother a voice and English teacher, no less over a shared love for music and theater. Together, they even traveled to L.A. to visit the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Emin reflects, "I had already been singing and performing for years at that time, but as soon as I stepped into the hallway of the Academy, I knew that I would try to come back here as a student. It was such a huge dream. I wasn't sure whether it'd ever come true."

But, with the help of his host family, Emin turned his dream into reality. His host mother helped him to prepare for the Academy's auditions in Texas by tutoring him after school. For his audition, Emin recited a Shakespearean monologue and performed a song from a Broadway musical.

"Reciting Shakespeare even in my native Azeri language is difficult. But doing it in English filling words with emotions and pronouncing everything correctly was an enormous challenge. Yet, my host mother encouraged me to try and tutored me after school," Emin recalls. Less than a month later, the admission letter was delivered: Emin had been admitted to the Academy and on a scholarship!

Building on a Musical Background
Emin's musical career started early; as a young boy, he was glued to the TV screen every time an opera was playing. Although his parents initially encouraged him to become a doctor, seeing Emin's passion for the arts convinced his parents to enroll him in voice classes to study opera, his budding passion.
"Classical music is the foundation of all modern music and it has always been very important to me. In primary school, many of my peers couldn't understand its importance and I had difficulty explaining my passion to friends," says Emin.

However, his vocal talent didn't go unnoticed. At age 13, he was selected to sing with famed Italian singer Robertino Loreti at a concert in Baku. "That was my big moment. Together, we sang two songs that were first performed by Robertino when he was 13. He liked my singing so much that invited me to take part in the national song contest in Italy a few months later," continues Emin. "And I won the contest!"

Emin was then invited to perform at many other concerts in Azerbaijan and Europe and continued to perform with Robertino Loretti. He also won another singing contest in Spain and the Golden Microphone competition in Kazakhstan.

With some international recognition under his belt, the young performer decided to try his hand at writing music, ultimately releasing a single called "Bubble Dreams." The single was well received in Azerbaijan and even played on radio stations across Europe.

The young performer doesn't intend on slowing down anytime soon. While studying in the US at the Academy, Emin has his sights on making connections with American record labels presenting himself as an Azerbaijani singer.

Words of Wisdom
Emin has some advice for fellow and future FLEX alumni, no matter what their passion may be: "Study hard: Education is the key to your success. Also, participate in different alumni activities and stay active in the FLEX community. I'm so proud to be a part of it and I hope that I will never lose touch with my FLEX friends."

About the Future Leaders Exchange Program
The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program funded by the US Department of State. FLEX students who pass multiple rounds of testing earn a scholarship to spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family and attending a US high school.

FLEX students gain leadership skills, learn about American society and values, and teach Americans about FLEX countries and cultures. FLEX is a highly competitive program with over 24,000 alumni who have contributed over one million hours of community service in cities and towns across America. The students return home to active alumni networks that carry out inspiring activities.

Interested in sharing your world with a bright, young scholarship student like Emin? Learn more about hosting a FLEX student.

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