The 16-year-old began performing when she was 8 after she convinced her parents to send her to singing lessons.
From there she has performed in several productions, including as the principal lead in the school production Fame and as Little Red Riding Hood in the Good Value production of Into the Woods.
She loves nothing more than ‘‘being on stage and letting it come''.
‘‘I love working together with the whole cast and getting to know everyone,'' she said.
A production she was very proud of was Showbiz Queenstown's Les Miserables.
She played Cosette, a principal lead, which was a ‘‘pretty big thing'' for her.
‘‘It was lots of hours but it was all worth it.'' In 2007 Emily accompanied Guest on stage, singing two solos and one duet, an experience she classed as the highlight of her life.
‘‘It was amazing. He was amazing,'' she said.
She has also performed with the school's soul band, as a featured soloist in the Shotover Jet Remarkable Christmas concert, in which she sang two solos and one group song, and as a backing vocalist in the Lynch Mob performance Great Gig in the Hall, a tribute to Pink Floyd.
Emily was also an accomplished academic as she has recieved awards at end of year prizegiving for the last three years, including excellence in music in 2007 and in science in 2008.
As well as spending time on stage and in the classroom, she also likes to hit the netball court.
Last year she was a member of the year 10 A team and this year she was a member of the senior A team.
Emily said she felt ‘‘really lucky'' and honoured to receive the Class Act award this year.
‘‘It feels good when you work hard to get a good result.''
Achievements: Accompanied Rob Guest on stage in 2007; Junior Blue award for performing arts; played Cosette in the Showbiz Queenstown production of Les Miserables; junior house leader 2008; excellence in music 2007; excellence in science 2008.
Role model: Her parents for their ‘‘determination, courage and talent'', and performer Ruthie Henshaw.
Hopes for the future: ‘‘I want to go to performing arts college and then travel to Europe.''