Emma Wieriks Stuns YouTube With Orchestral Performance of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana”
Sometimes the internet uncovers hidden gems that remind us just how much talent is waiting to be discovered. Dutch musician Emma Wieriks is one such talent.
Although her YouTube channel has a modest following of around 11,000 subscribers, one video she uploaded in 2020 has skyrocketed past expectations — drawing in more than 3.8 million views and counting.
The performance in question was not just another cover — it was Emma’s final university coursework project.
For her graduation, she decided to take on Barry Manilow’s disco-era classic, “Copacabana (At the Copa).” Instead of keeping it simple, she boldly arranged and conducted the track for a full student orchestra.
In her own words, Emma described the process:
“As part of my graduation, I had the opportunity to arrange and conduct the song Copacabana for this great ensemble of fellow students.
We only got three rehearsals of 45 minutes, and this is the result of working together and having lots of fun!”
With limited time and high stakes, Emma and her fellow students pulled off something remarkable. The result was a vibrant, orchestral transformation of one of Manilow’s most iconic songs — blending the energy of the original with the depth and grandeur of a live symphonic arrangement.
This viral success proves that true artistry doesn’t always need a massive platform to shine. Sometimes, all it takes is passion, collaboration, and the courage to share your work with the world.
✨ Emma Wieriks’ story is a perfect reminder of the power of music, creativity, and teamwork — and why some performances deserve to be remembered long after the final note.
