SAN DIEGO — A young San Diego singer just stepped onto one of the biggest stages in the world.
In this Zevely Zone, I reunited with a sixth grader on her way to the top. It was during the height of COVID-19 when I received a call about a Carmel Valley kid who was born for the stage. The stay-at-home order in 2020 was when little seven-year-old Eva Mather unleashed a voice too big to be trapped in a house. "Welcome to my ninth concert," said Eva to her neighbors four years ago before singing her favorite Adele song.
Four years have passed, and the awards are piling up, including a trip to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall.
"This is my trophy," said Eva. When I first met her, Eva was shy. Not anymore.
WATCH: Eva, as a Carmel Valley first-grader uniting her neighborhood with concerts during COVID-19 (2020):
The now, 11-year-old, is mastering opera.
When Eva learned she won first place at the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, she erupted in a scream. To celebrate she ate ice cream for two hours straight. "I did," said Eva with a big smile.
"She is pursuing her dream," said her mother Qian. While Eva belted it out at Carnegie Hall, her parents tried to hold it all in. "I was sobbing actually, when I was at Carnegie, I could not help it," said Qian.
Her father, Brian added, "Definitely the highlight of my life." Next up? Eva will perform at an upcoming Padre game. "The National Anthem," she announced.
We know she can sing it; we watched her do it at age eight. "The rockets' red glare," Eva sang before a football game in 2021.
And to think it all started in the Zevely Zone! "Yes, all thanks to you," laughed Eva.
With a national stage calling, I wondered if Eva would remember the little people. Sometimes people stop calling the Zevely Zone because they get so famous. "I will never stop calling you," said Eva while giving me a big hug.
Eva would like to thank her parents and other important people who are supporting her budding career. They include vocal and performing coaches, Sonia Yon and Karyn Overstreet.
Eva also wants to thank House of China in Balboa Park where she is a Junior Princess. She has an upcoming production as Marcy Park in the "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the North Coast Rep Theater.
Eva hopes to someday return to New York City to attend The Juilliard School. If anyone is looking for someone to sing the National Anthem with a powerful voice for any type of event, please reach out to Eva via Instagram. For a link to her Instagram page, click here.
