Westporters know her as Emma Ruchefsky. The world may soon know her as Emma Charles.
The daughter of Steve Ruchefsky and Rondi Charleston — hence the stage name — thrilled audiences at Staples High School with Players productions of “Avenue Q,” “Hello, Dolly!’ and “Sweeney Todd,” and as an Orphenians singer. She’s also performed at the Levitt Pavilion and Fine Arts Festival.
Now — having finished her performance and songwriting studies early at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music — her professional career is taking off. She’s in the midst of a 12-city tour, opening for Tyler Hilton and Howie Day.
This Saturday (March 15, 7:45 p.m.) Emma returns to the area. A show with Howie is set for the Fairfield Theater Company.
She’s also just released a beautiful new song, “Comfort in the Chaos.”
Emma’s base is Los Angeles. She’s working there on original music — heard only by a few people so far. She’s excited to play it for her hometown fans.
“Finding my voice as an opener is tough,” Emma notes. “But it’s the best way to start touring in as many places as possible.”
In LA, she says, she’s coming into her own sound. It’s similar to Kacey Musgraves and Maggie Rogers — but definitely her own.
Emma Charles
When she takes the FTC stage, Emma will not be far from her Westport heart — geographically, and emotionally.
She is grateful for the opportunities Staples provided, through Luke Rosenberg’s choral program and David Roth’s Players.
Emma Ruchefsky may have changed her name. But Emma Charles is still the same warm, wonderful — and very talented — performer they (and the rest of Westport) knew and loved.
(Click here for tickets and more information on Saturday’s Fairfield Theater Company show.)
You can find her music on Spotify, AppleMusic and SoundCloud.