Beverly Hills Twins Sing with L.A. Children’s Chorus

Twice a week, identical twins Hayley and Taylor Emerson, 15, travel from their home in Beverly Hills to Pasadena for rehearsal with the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.

“At first I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, it’s going to be so tiring and I have so much homework,' ” Hayley said. “But when I get here and I see my friends and start to sing, it’s worth it because it’s so much fun.” 

This is the sisters’ sixth season with LACC, despite the commute. In fact, the group’s 400 members travel from 60 different Southern California communities to participate in this comprehensive and rigorous music program.

Led by Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, the LACC performs at venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Shrine Auditorium, the Hollywood Bowl and with the Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Now that Hayley and Taylor have advanced to the group’s Concert Choir, their touring includes both national and international travel.

“Last year we went to Washington, D.C., New Jersey and New York, and I just had the time of my life there,” Hayley said. “When we were leaving Ellis Island we all sang Sailing Away and it was so great. People on the boat weren’t expecting it and then we just all started singing in four-part harmony.”

This summer the LACC Concert Choir will perform for the first time on the African continent as it travels to South Africa.

“It’s going to be such an amazing experience—I can’t wait to go,” Taylor said.

Taylor compares singing with the LACC to the television show Glee, but without all the drama.

“In LACC we’re like a community and everyone is friends with everyone else. There’s no popular group or whatever,” Taylor said. “Everyone enjoys each other’s company and we’re like a big family.”

Taylor loves the days they have choir rehearsals because singing always cheers her up no matter how her day has been going.

“I feel like when we sing, it brings other people happiness, too,” she said. “If someone is down or feeling hopeless, they should come to one of our rehearsals or concerts and maybe that will brighten up their day.” 

In addition to singing with LACC, the Marlborough School students also play soccer with the Real So Cal Soccer Club, which involves another commute twice a week. Neither sister is sure which pastime will win out as a future career.

“I love singing and I love soccer,” Taylor said. “I’m going to keep doing both and see where I end up.”

Her sister agreed that the decision between music and sports is a tough one.

“I would love to do music professionally, but I also love soccer,” Hayley said. “It’s really hard for me to decide. I guess I’ll be a singing soccer player.” 

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