Finding Her Voice: Eva Zoe Mather’s Captivating Journey in Classical Singing
- WOMCO
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Eva Zoe Mather was awarded both the Platinum Prize and the Best Captivating Expressiveness Special Award in the C: Best Musician in Age 11–13 Category at the 2025 Season 2 Best Classical Musicians Awards.
Biography
Eva Mather is an award winning 12-year-old singer and actress from San Diego, California USA. She can sing in eight different languages. Eva’s awards include 2024 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition (which led to her debut solo performance in Carnegie Hall), 2024 King’s Peak International Music competition, 2024 American Protégé Music Vocal Competition, 2024 Amadeus International Music Awards and 2024 International Bthvn Wien Competition, 2024 Gabriel Faure Competition, 2025 London Young Musicians, 2024 Fanny Mendelssohn Competition, 2024 Mozart Competition Vienna, 2025 Bach International Competition UK, and 2025 Vivaldi International Music Competition. Eva has performed the National Anthem for San Diego Padres, SD FC, LA Kings, Miramar Air Show, Breeder's Cup at Del Mar Racing, San Diego Wave, Seals and Gulls in addition to many cultural performances at festivals in Southern California. Eva also loves musical theater and has performed in the Old Globe’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in 2022. Eva enjoys competitive swimming and playing piano, and is learning French and Chinese.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
My name is Eva Mather and I am an award-winning 12 year old coloratura soprano from San Diego, California, USA. I don’t remember when I first sang but my mom said I sang before I could speak full sentences. I loved singing so much that my parents let me join San Diego Children's Choir at age 6. I had my first public solo performance during COVID, at age 8, when I put on concerts from my front porch to cheer up my neighbors (I was inspired by seeing the Italian's singing from their balconies to cheer up their neighbors during the lockdown). I loved to see the joy that my performance brought others. I got interested in classical music and specifically opera when I was 10. I was enthralled by the artistic beauty of classical music, and I have loved learning, performing and competing in classical music competitions ever since.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
I fell in love with "Caro Nome" because I saw my favorite opera singer, Edita Gruberova, sing this aria online and her rendition was so beautiful that I wanted to try it also. I tried to follow her style of singing and had challenges with tension on the high notes, but overcame that through practice and with my vocal coach. I'm happy that it turned out well and honored to win!
What do you believe defines a great Vocalist, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
I believe that a good vocalist studies not just the notes and melody of a song, but really tries to put themselves inside the story of the song, like an actress. The emotions and context of the story should be conveyed not only by facial expression and acting, but in the subtlety of the vocalization. I try to approach each performance thinking about what the character is feeling, and how best to express that with my voice. Another big part of being a good vocalist is mastering technique.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
I was excited to submit my performance of "Caro Nome" by Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto to the Best Classical Musician Awards. I had heard good things about your competition from my teacher. I didn't know what to expect, but was very pleased to win both the Platinum Award and "Best Captivating Expressiveness" award. I would like to thank my vocal coach, Milena Kitic, for helping me perfect my voice, my piano teacher Sun Yung Cho for helping my musicality, my parents for unwavering support.