I am a professional opera singer and baker based in Carlsbad, California. For the last few years, I have been able to explore more and more of the SoCal area and have found so many incredible people who have helped me to grow as an artist and as a person. I love all things nerdy, will do crafts in any medium I can get my hands on, and spend a fair bit of time at Battlemage Brewing in Vista, both as a patron and as a vendor for my baking business. I’ve spent the past few years performing all over the area, was given the opportunity to work with San Diego Opera for the first time last season, and will be continuing with them for their production of Madam Butterfly this coming April.
About Emily Weinberg
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family is filled with creative people. My dad is a writer and has his own marketing firm called The Market Building Team and my mom plays the flute, does graphic design, and is an incredible cook. They are both a big reason that I felt I was able to follow my dream of becoming a professional singer as I was growing up and they continue to be amazingly supportive to this day.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been working as a professional opera singer since 2019 when I graduated from college. In the beginning of my career, I spent a lot of time working with Pacific Chorale up in Costa Mesa as a choral singer in addition to working as a song leader for various churches. I still do both of those things, but ever since the world of opera started to come back in 2021, I have been able to perform with several local opera companies and have been given many thrilling opportunities. Most recently, I performed the title role in “Carmen” with the Pacific Lyric Association and debuted with the San Diego Opera as one of the Lay Sisters in Suor Angelica. This season I will be working with San Diego Opera again in their production of Madam Butterfly and will be singing the role of “Toledo” in “The Falling and the Rising” with Bodhi Tree Concerts. With both singing and baking, I love the flexibility and creativity that I am afforded. When singing, I get to interpret a piece in my way and present it to the public with my personal spin on it. As The Baking Mezzo though, I am constantly coming up with new recipes, flavor combinations, and designs for decorating all of my delicious treats.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t be afraid to take a chance on trying something new and outside of your routine. I know how hard it can be to step outside of yourself, but whether it’s going to your first opera, trying to cook or bake for the first time, or taking a class to learn how to recreate a cool crafting video you saw on Instagram, your life will be better and more interesting for having tried something new. And even if you aren’t good at it right off the bat (coming from a recovering perfectionist), the first step to being sort of good at something is to suck at it.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully singing opera all over the world!
Emily Weinberg & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
It’s so hard to pick just a few, but Spirito’s and Mexico Viejo in Carlsbad are amazing for some casual food. Recently I’ve been exploring a lot more of the San Diego food scene though and was introduced to the speakeasy Young Blood and its corresponding restaurant Noble Experiment. The food is incredible in the restaurant outside and entering through a secret doorway to get to what feels like a modern take on a 1920s speakeasy where they craft original cocktails just for you is such a special experience.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I grew up in the area and moved away for college, but getting to know the city as an adult has made it almost feel like a completely new experience. I guess I would say I’ve lived here for about 20 years officially, but as a functioning adult since moving back would be closer to 3 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
That would be Daniel Hendrick. I studied with him as a vocal student for over 13 years and am confident in saying that he is one of the most thoroughly interesting people I have ever met.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Since I have only been here for a couple of years and really started my social network from scratch when I came back, I would say Battlemage Brewing. It’s where I made a good deal of the friends I have today and since they are also the people who encouraged me to start my baking business they will always hold a special place in my heart. Their beer is incredible too which doesn’t hurt…
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that the city of San Diego doesn’t feel quite like any other city I have gone to. Even without living there, it feels homey almost immediately, and every experience I have had there has only strengthened that idea in my mind.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Out of everyone, I would choose my best friend who lives across the country. We rarely get to see each other in person and I would love to take him around San Diego to show off the sights and get lunch at Azuki Sushi!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
One of my favorite shows would be The Good Place and my favorite movie is the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. It can be one movie if you’re dedicated enough…
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I trained in martial arts for over a decade.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The feeling of biting into a new recipe I’m testing and having it taste exactly how I imagined it would.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family, my friends, and my boyfriend. I cherish the fact that we all have open communication and getting feedback and learning about myself through the eyes of others gives me so much valuable information on how to become the person that I want to be.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Rotary International, specifically the Sunrise Rotary in Rancho Bernardo. My father used to belong to that branch of the club and I met so many interesting and kind people there who were so supportive of me as I grew up.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s ok if it isn’t perfect the first time and there is no shame in trying again.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Carlsbad
What I love about my Neighborhood:
The community and climate make it feel like I’m constantly on vacation but somehow also living here?!
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Spending my day catching up on One Piece while painting, going out on a date night to try a new restaurant, and ending the evening at home with a glass of Glenmorangie whisky.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy, Relaxed, Organized Chaos
