ICU by Emily Rose Cardé

Emily grew up in the Kern River Valley, where she lived the majority of her life and has been involved in many community activities through the years. As a youngster, she performed several musicals with Sierra Performing Arts including Hansel and Gretel, Spoiled on Ice, and Li’l Abner.

At the young age of five years old, Emily began piano lessons with Helen Smoot. She performed in many recitals, including a performance of “The Entertainer” at a SPA concert. At age seven, Emily won first place at a local talent competition performing a Native America piece titled “Swift Horses”. She caught the competition bug and has been competing ever since. She recently placed first for singing and playing the piano to a song that she composed called “Nowhere Left to Go.”

Though Emily learned a lot from Ms. Smoot, around age 11, she began taking lessons from Bruce Brady. Brady encouraged Emily to participate in the Kern Valley Community Orchestra. For one concert season, she played the keyboard and the bells with the orchestra. In addition, as a scholarship student, Emily was required to perform special music at the orchestra concerts, including Beethoven’s Sonata in G, and Chopin’s raindrop Prelude.

Emily has also used her talents in the church. She has played special music, offertory music, and has participated in various church dramas. She played the piano at Covenant Presbyterian Church on a regular basis and has written music and lyrics that are sung during the worship service.

In addition to playing and writing music, Emily has a passion for writing fiction. At the end of 2008, she joined the Kern Valley Poets and Writers Club. While an active member, she shared her writings on a regular basis and received positive feedback from the other members. Emily published short stories, poetry, and song lyrics in the 2009 and 2010 edition of Reflections of the Kern, a yearly publication of the writing club.

Emily graduated with honors from Bakersfield Christian High School May, 2011, receiving the coveted award of excellence in English. She is currently attending Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, VA where she will receive a classical liberal arts education and a degree in literature. She trusts the college will hone her writing skills and assist her in becoming an accomplished novelist. PHC has high educational standards that can equip Emily towards her goals.

Supporting Emily by purchasing a book or becoming a sponsor will help her attain her goal of improving as a writer. As we like to joke, if you like the book, your support will help her to improve her writing skills. If you don’t care for the book, your support will help her to improve her writing skills. It has taken over two years to hone ICU. She began writing the novella at the age of 14. We can only expect that she will develop her skills with time.

Thank you for taking an interest in Emily.