A Look Back at 2020:

Emily E. Finke
Jan 4, 2021
4 min read

It's 2021! I hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start. I am looking forward to getting back to business after taking some time off over the holidays to be with family. I have some very big and exciting plans for 2021 that I cannot wait to share with all of you! Hopefully, I will be able to start making announcements soon.

In the meantime, it was good to have a time of reflection the last couple of weeks. Looking back on the year is one of my favorite things to do over New Year. Even though 2020 was unpredictable with high highs and low lows, the success and accomplishments of a year are not determined by the circumstances we meet or find ourselves in but rather our reaction to them. In many ways, 2020 was like any other year. It had its good and bad moments, but through it all, God remains faithful. I am so grateful for the people I met, worked with, and got to know in 2020. I am so incredibly blessed that God allowed me to complete and share some of the biggest projects of my career. I hope you enjoy this reflection on 2020:

- January -

On the 28th, I had my very first recording experience at Criteria Studios in Miami. I recorded 5 songs (4 original) in which I was producer, composer, and artist. Excitement and anticipation surrounded this experience as I took the first official step to launch my music career.

- February -

I worked my very last job (due to Covid) as a Brand Ambassador at one of the most exciting events in my career as a BA at the Daytona 500 representing the sponsor, General Tire.

- March -

Quarantine started, and creativity was on a mission to not be snuffed out. In the midst of this unusually new atmosphere, the Quarantine Film Festival was born, and I was eager to be a part of it. “Who Sent the Message?” was my submission to the MicroFilm category of films under a minute long using 3 designated props and was the first “film” I had ever written, directed, filmed, edited, and was the sole actor in.

- April -

A growing social media presence and desire to step up the creativity game brought on images from my “home studio” photoshoot such as this one that highlights my inner child’s love of The Mad Hatter. They say creativity is born out of limitation or necessity. I think this is proof that I had both limitations and necessity!

- May -

Another month in quarantine, but the the creativity and work continued. I was still working through and adjusting to my voice change and life as a Mezzo-Soprano, but things were beginning to look up. I was grateful to reach a place of stability to finally be able to create regularly scheduled content, especially singing videos. It was also a blessing to be a guest on the podcast, “Chase the Unknown,” and talk about my voice change and offer encouragement and inspiration.

- June -

Probably the most hectic month of the year as we got ready for the release of my first single, “A Patriot’s Prayer,” June was a month of learning and growing as an artist, a business, and a person.

- July -

My very first original song, “A Patriot’s Prayer,” was released as a single on July 1st with the music video following on the 4th! But things didn’t stop there as we continued at full speed to prepare and release my second single, “Marigolds Blowing in the Wind,” on July 30th.

- August -

A whirlwind of a month that pulled my attention in a million different directions, August was filled with new music business endeavors, preparations for the music video for “Marigolds,” forming new business relationships, and lots of time spent with family and friends.

- September -

Due to some personal circumstances, September was a difficult month. But determination and a new perspective brought just the right time to release the music video for “Marigolds,” on the 30th.

- October -

My birth month! October zoomed by with birthday festivities, making plans for the holidays, working on new content and an upcoming song release, and enjoying the (ever so slightly) dropping temperature.

- November -

I released my 3rd and final single of the year, “The Sound of Freedom,” on the 6th. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, lots of work was being done on holiday content. November also wrapped up the first and very successfully received “Emily’s Vintage Music Tournament,” in which The Beatles were crowned the winner and “Top Vintage Music Artist of the 30s-60s.”

- December -

“An Old Fashioned Christmas” hit the ground running with lots of Christmas music featuring my friend, Gene Goodwin, on guitar. Soon after, we were invited to do an in-person concert (the first in-person performance since January) of all our Christmas songs. With new endeavors on the horizon, the work never stopped. But amidst all the business, the Christmas season shone as a beacon of hope filled with lots of family, friends, laughter, and love.

Thank you for being a part of this adventurous and momentous year, and I hope you continue to join me on this journey in 2021. May God bless your year and grant you a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2021!