Mistress of the velvet curtains, singer-songwriter Emma Dean owns the stage with eccentric, effervescent piano-driven pop. With slick vocals, mischievous lyrics, and penchant for all things theatrical, Dean tips her top hat to cabaret. Yet, dancing along the yellow brick road between music and theatre, she creates a sound all her own.

“With an authentic voice and fresh perspectives to offer...[Emma Dean] is just right. Move over Rufus and Tori. You have company.” — Noel Mengel, COURIER MAIL, Australia

Though she has been compared to Tori Amos (Ryan Brockington, NEW YORK POST) and Kate Bush (Patrick McKiernan, allgigs.co.uk), Dean proved her theatrical pop to be fresh, unique, and in demand when NEW YORK POST named her “one of ten artists to watch in 2011.” Soon after, her single “Sincerely Fearful” worked its magic on the American music charts.

“Just sample her monster Broadway single “Sincerely Fearful”, which is 50% “Wicked” and 50% Tori Amos and 100% addictive. You will find an unavoidable sound worth of the repeat button.” — Ryan Brockington, NEW YORK POST, USA

Once a guilty pleasure of the underground, Dean has emerged from the rabbit hole to win international acclaim at sold-out shows. Her diverse musical background and independent approach has seen her perform alongside Jesca Hoop (US) and Kate Miller-Heidke, and support Amanda Palmer, The Dresden Dolls, and Katie Noonan.

Dean received the Butterfly Club’s prestigious “Under Our Wing” award in 2010, joining rank with performers the calibre of Tim Minchin and Sammy J. She debuted her second solo album “Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret” to sold-out audiences around Australia. Then, in 2011, reviews fizzed with praise for her one-woman show “STRIPPED” at MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL and ADELAIDE CABARET FRINGE FESTIVAL.

“It’s a satisfying serve of warmth, humour and melancholy splashed over a little rock, served up oddball, and well worth a taste.” — Jim Forbes, crikey.com.au, Australia

2011 saw Dean take bold steps as a performer, treading the boards as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” (QPAC). Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre’s first full-scale production was called “sultry and sophisticated” (Kelli Rogers, AUSTRALIAN STAGE) – a sinful success.

This year, Ms Dean is still a performer to watch. In fact, you won’t be able to take your eyes away. As well as continuing to work as a solo performer, Emma will be taking her new show “An End to Dreaming”, written by herself and Green Room Award winner Jake Diefenbach, to the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Shortly after, the pair will launch their new project, “Geppetto” – a dark, electronic pop fairytale duo. With a few wicked surprises up her sleeve, whether stripped or draped in velvet, Dean captures audiences in thrall – and in rapture.