Camilla Ayeesha Emperado. SUPPLIED

From desert stars to center stage, Camilla Ayeesha Emperado found her groove (and her saxophone solo) in the UAE

At first glance, Camilla Ayeesha Emperado might seem like your typical 16-year-old girl growing up in the UAE. She loves mall adventures (especially the noise and lights), parks that smell like freshly cut grass, and the thrill of dune bashing followed by cup noodles under desert stars. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a powerhouse of talent, confidence, and musical ambition wrapped in the body of a bubbly teen. This Filipina music prodigy doesn’t just perform—she shines. “I really, really want to be a musician when I grow up,” Ayeesha tells Expat Media. And she’s well on her way. Ayeesha plays the saxophone, piano, sings, and dances, and has wowed crowds at events like Expo 2020 Dubai and the G-Force Dance Concert. But it was her decision to try the saxophone—thanks to a recommendation from her music teacher—that changed everything. “The saxophone is my favorite instrument now,” she says. “It helped me gain more confidence on stage. Because of the saxophone, I got to where I am today.” And where she is today is impressive. This year, she passed with distinction her Grade 6 Alto Saxophone performance at the Centre for Musical Arts and received her certificate from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In 2024, Ayeesha, with her blazing saxophone and vocals, was part of a UAE-based teen band that went on to win the Battle of the Bands: Dubai Rock Revolution Eraserheads Edition. Their prize haul? A plaque signed by the Eraserheads, a Joan Jett Olympic Special guitar, and VIP passes to the rock legends’ concert in Dubai. Ayeesha beams when talking about her big wins. Her musical resume doesn’t stop there. In 2023, she bagged the Upper Intermediate Category for Classical Music in the CMA Young Musicians Competition, topping even fellow gold medalists. She also won a bronze in woodwind performance with her sax, and gold for piano. “It feels surreal,” she said at the time, thanking her music mentor, Renna Zetha-Mamba, for guiding her journey. Despite her achievements, Ayeesha remains grounded. Her heart belongs to the UAE, where she’s spent her whole life. “I’m grateful for living in the UAE. I don’t know if I’d be having the same opportunities if I were in any other country.” Whether she’s stargazing in the desert, exploring escape rooms with friends, or playing a haunting sax solo on stage, Ayeesha is proof that dreams don’t just happen—they’re played note by note, gig by gig, with passion and purpose. In her words: I lived my entire life in the UAE, I grew up liking going to malls because of the noises of people. I liked how the malls were all pretty and bright, they all have their own themes. I like going to parks too, because of people and the smell of grass and just the air. I usually just see sand around here but parks make me happy. I like going camping with my family and the feeling of look at the stars in the evening in the desert. It’s also fun to go dune bashing when we camp, my favorite part is the eating part where we have cup noodles. I like how there’s so much to do. I could go on rollercoasters, rock climbing, escape rooms, swimming, and so much more. There’s so much to do and it’s all so much better when I have friends around. I love the food in the UAE whether it’s Filipino food, or Indian, or Arabic, they’re all delicious. I’m also happy here because I have so many opportunities that I’m blessed. I grew up loving music, and I really really want to be a musician when I grow up. I’m happy to have my lessons here and I’m also really lucky because I get to perform places which is good for my exposure. Expo 2020 was one of my favorite performances, and that’s where I learned that I wanted to play the saxophone because it was recommended to me by my teacher. I get to learn so much because of my music school. The saxophone is my favorite instrument now and it’s helped me gain more confidence on stage. Because of the saxophone, I got to where I am today. I hope to keep on improving and be the best I can be. I’m grateful for living in the UAE, I don’t know if I’d be having the same opportunities if I were in any other country. That’s why I’m so grateful it was here than anywhere else.
Kids and teens, My UAE Story is where you can share your real stories—what it's like growing up in the UAE, your big dreams, small wins, favorite places, proud moments, or even your funniest memories! Got a story to share? Email us on editorial@expatmedia.net or DM us on our socials
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