Emma Kok - Hallelujah. COUNTRY GUY REACTS!!!

[@exeter1588]

No worries brother. You're not the first or the last grown man to shed a tear while watching Emma perform. She is sublime; otherworldly in fact. Proof that Angels do exist. All the best to you and your family, especially your son. By the way, I have learned a lot about Emma, her family and her world since first watching the 'Voila' video last summer. What you see is what you get. She really is a sweet and genuine young woman. Also, more and more people who know what they are talking about are beginning to recognize just how off the charts good Emma is. We all could be witnessing the emergence of one of the greatest female vocal artists of all time.

[@andrei02ade83]

👏👏👏👏♥️👏👏👏.Este o onoare,si o maaarreee placere sa o ascult pe Emma,cintind,dirijata de marele si unicul Andre Rieu. ❤❤❤❤FELICITARIII..

[@cellevangiel5973]

Whatever she touches, it is her song. I named her a Grand Little Lady and every word is applicable.

[@huseinskalanic7490]

Simply Amazing EMMA is sublime ❤🎤👏

[@jvdwbd]

Hi Travis, thank ypu for your nice heartfelt reaction. It hits you so hard because this girl does not only sing the song, she lives it. With all her expressions, with her whole body, clinching fists, bending knees, watch it again and understand why it hits you so hard and intense. You of all people understand what heartship this girl has. She has a paralized stomach. She can not eat and is fed throug 2 feeding tubes throug her belly directly into her stomach, ever since she was 9 months old. She carries the pumps that are feeding her 22 hours a day. She takes them off when she performs. Only that time she feels free. I love it how you speak about your son. I wish you and him strength and happinez, I'l think about you and your family in my prayers. Greetz from the Netherlands (Emma's native country) Jacques

[@jenniferjones-l8h]

wonderful an amazing voice

[@lazerx1828]

Good health, luck and happiness to you and your family, today and every day. Thanks for checking out Emma's performances.

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you!!!

[@incroyableMec]

Franchement dans ma vie, j’ai écouté des heures et des heures de tout genres de musiques/chansons et autres, puis je n’ai jamais vus et entendu un talent tel que celui d’Emma Kok. Cette fille ira loin dans la vie je lui souhaite, Dieu veille sur elle.🙏🏻✝️

[@KelgeriaGames]

Always a pleasure to hear Emma sing. An angel. Great arrangement of this song. Please check out her new original song "Dancing on the stars" and listen to the intro.

[@willemvandijk8732]

I like your reaction about Emma Kok..... I'm from Holland to, and Emma is amazing.......A couple of weeks ago she did "Disney in Concert met Emma Kok | Musical Awards: The Kick-Off 2024" she's 16 years now, so I really have to look to this.

[@pioter3124]

Thank you for your reaction. You are as sincere and truthfully as Emma is on her performaces. All the best for you and your family❤

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you so much!

[@Mars-is4un]

🤗🍒🌹 well done And strength!!

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you! 🤗

[@robinakins4861]

Yes, she hits me hard also. Definitely a God given talent that she delivers straight to the core of your soul. I call it the “Emma Phenomenon” and it is pure love and spiritual. It is perfect in all respects. She has such courage and conviction and she is spreading love to the world. She is so special-people who hear her are moved and awe-struck. It is an unforgettable experience that changes you internally. We need her to sing to all of America; she can do more good for the country than any politician.

[@incroyableMec]

Angélique ce petit ange.❤️ Merci pour la réaction !

[@Howha1313]

Emma is back with her first own song during the Andre Rieu Maastricht concerts 2024. Dance on the stars! Is the title, please check this one .

[@roimerlopez1275]

Beautiful reaction my friend Travis!!...Thank you very much!!

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@roimerlopez1275]

@@frontrowchaos4597 Emma reminds me a lot of the Great Lara Fabian, the Dimash's idol, so I would like you to see for yourself why I say it...Here is the link of Lara singing "Broken Vow" live....kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXuleHZ_bcaGe5Ysi=Ye3IpRr3Y7saYrSO

[@joseruppe5988]

AMAZING LOVE IT ❤️❤️WISH YOU AND Your FAMILY ALL LOVE ❤️GREETINGS FROM THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Same to you!

[@lazerx1828]

Hey Travis, if you watch the beginning of the VOILÀ video again you can hear André, the conductor, pronounce her last name correctly when he talks about her brother, Enzo Kok.

[@gatekeeperbubba2946]

Thanks for sharing the story of your son. Beautiful in its purity and love. God bless you and you have earned a like and subscribe. Looking forward to more from you.

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you so much!

[@alanrobinson4814]

So sorry for your son. Stay positive sir. Emma did another inspirational cover. The Climb. She was about 14 when she recorded it in her little home studio. She is a marvelous and courageous young lady. Hope you react to it. Blessings to you.❤️

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you, I will

[@stevecgarry]

Travis, you got so many aspects of that so right, thank you so much for not holding back on revealing your own deep feelings and emotions, and yes, she is the complete package, and I'm now going to give you a link that you may not do a reaction to, but I know that her response to a desperate heartbreak will so encourage you, given the pain you have experienced in your own life, in that Emma shows so clearly just how aware she is of her situation, and her response to it is incredible for her age, she was 15 at the time. In the middle of preparing for her first ever performance of Voila with Andre, which happened in July, a very close friend, Angela, died, and although it's not specifically mentioned, I'm pretty sure that she too was suffering from the same disease as Emma. There are two videos on KZbin that Emma posted, they're short, both only just over a minute, but incredibly and deeply moving, the first has comments in Dutch that I didn't translate the first time I heard this one, so the absolute depth of it didn't hit me, but when I was reviewing my 'Emma list', I put her words into the translator, and then it hit me that this song was a memorial, a tribute to a close friend, and then the last line really hit home, she's just lost a close friend at a young age, and Emma has seen the awful impact on life expectancy and quality of life that are the result of gastroparesis, one of her close friends in the Maastricht Hospital is now working with her foundation because she can't work in the hospital any more because of her own issues with gastroparesis. Emma clearly understands only too well how serious her illness can be, and yet she can sing that incredible closing few words, 'Yeah, I know, you'll tell me when I get there'. I don't mind admitting, that broke me, and tears were the order of the day when the significance of that line hit me, She delivered it so wonderfully, the whole song is so emotional, and she sings it with no support, just her incredible voice, it's a new phrase to be using, how can she be so powerfully vulnerable, and yet that is the reality of the strength of so many of her performances, she's taken all of her life circumstances on board, and decided, 'I will NOT let this disease define me, I AM going to rise above it, and become what I know I can be', She is so far beyond looking for sympathy for her illness, but she is also using the illness to give her an additional focus and depth in her performances that give her an almost unique edge that takes her so far beyond being just a singer, or even a singer who can perform, and dominate the stage, she is levels above that already, and I still can't find the right word to describe that level that she's soared to under Andre's gentle guidance, he is doing a wonderful job of mentoring her, and showing her how to rise so high into the levels of stardom. I'm going to post the link to the first video with the notes I have in my file, it truly is very different, there was no audience, just Emma at home with her own studio equipment around her, and for me, it's a wonderful view of the other side of her life experience coin, the side that she's had to live with for all of her life, the side that she's living with every day, and her determination shines through so incredibly. When I Get There - @PinkVideoVault Unaccompanied short, very powerful, a song about the passing of a very close friend, given Emma's own situation, so incredibly deep and moving, just incredible. Translation of the note in Dutch, 'Last night my dear friend Angela became a star! 💗 I'm going to miss you incredibly much, but every time I look at the starry sky I know you're looking back 💗' kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp-soYFua9KqbKc Then, she also put up a second video after singing at a Memorial event for Angela, the song is part of her first single, released some 12 months earlier, Laat Mij Een Vlinder Zijn 13 May 2023 a video short, kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV69paKJZapkeJo 'Today I had the opportunity to sing at the farewell of my dear friend Angela 💘 Angela always wanted to go viral with her tiktoks, she wanted to be popiejopie! Let's make this happen, share this message as much as possible so that Angela goes viral and she can really be popie from above ♥🙏🏻' Her first single is a deeply moving song, where she is singing about her situation, and desperately seeking a change, a different experience, the studio video of it, kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJTbkqFvh5qmaqc the translation to English is in the notes that go with it, the whole song is about her reaction to, and deep longing for a change, to be able to be free, to soar free of the restrictions and restraints that her illness imposes on her, it's 22 hours a day tied to the equivalent of a boat anchor, as well as issues that she doesn't talk about very much, like pain, and stamina limitations, as well as regular replacements of her 'mic key button' the link through a stoma in her abdomen that gets the tubes into her digestive system, it has to be replaced regularly, I think at least twice a year, and it's at least 30 minutes of intense pain if everything goes to plan, longer if not, as she refuses to have anaesthetic gas, as it can affect her voice, and for a long time, she wasn't even able to be open about this aspect of her life, but at last, she'd finding the mental strength to be able to be open about it. There's deep emotion in the segment from 2:02 to 2:30, 'if only for a day, or even for a count of ten, I'd just like to live as another', and you will then see a gentle shake of her head, the pain in her eyes, the recognition of the awful daily grinding pain and reality of her situation, and then her head goes down to silence for a moment as she has to face up to the awful reality that there can be no change, there is no cure at present, she has to continue to live with her situation. Then she rises, soaring high, determined to not let her situation define her, or limit her, she rises over it all. It's what gave her first ever performance on Andre's stage such power, physically, she walked on to Andre's stage, but mentally, as she launched into the first ever live performane of Voila, her dream came true, she soared, she was effectively seeing her butterfly, the butterfly of her dream breaking free of the cocoon, the chrysalis emerging as the beautiful new form of the butterfly, and it soared over that stage, and as it soared, so did she, she dominated the stage, the orchestra and the 12,500 audience that was there, that stunning performance of the new version of Voila was perfect, and it's hard to realise it was the first ever live performance of the new version. She absolutely nailed it, and that cheeky smile as she punched the air in triumph at the end of that top note made it clear she knew she'd nailed it, but the 15 year old girl is still there and emerged again for a moment, as she threw her arms wide to Andre, and effectively said, 'How was that?' His eyes, his smile, the embrace and kiss, one word, 'Fantastic', the call back to the stage to take more of the standing ovation from the orchestra and the audience, all of that told the story, and Andre knew she was special, after that first performance of the scheduled 12, the next day, he invited her to join him for other concerts in Malta, and the Christmas concerts, and then to also be a key part of the 75 concerts of his world tour, he knew, she is very special, possibly unique, and he has the platform and the experience to help her rise to level that even Emma probably couldn't dream of, and it's so good to see it happening. I am so much looking forward to seeing and hearing her in Dublin in May, she's helped me tremendously in the last few months, and I can't quantify how or why, I just know that her performance of Voila last summer went deep into me, and found an empty place, and with her influence now deep in me, somehow, it's changing things, and I am not complaining, I like what's happened and is happening. A closing and heartfelt plea to everyone reading these comments. Emma's foundation can be found at gastrostars.nl If at all possible, please join me in making a (regular) donation to her foundation, to enable them to help patients like Emma, and research this awful disease, and hopefully find a cure. They are a small group, and one of their main people is a surgeon who has a lot of experience in dealing with gastroparesis, and she is not only a surgeon, but also suffers from the same disease herself, to the extent that as a result of her condition worsening, she's had to leave her role in the hospital, and she is now dedicated to the foundation, and working to help find possible new treatments, or even better the cure that will free people like Emma to live a more normal life, rather than be tied to the feeding pumps for so many hours every day. It would be wonderful news to hear that they have been able to change the outlook for Emma and others, it would be tragic if Emma were unable to continue to sing like she does, while she looks stunning on stage, her stamina is not good, so it is a very delicate balance to maintain her health, it would be so good to hear that the situation has been changed by the work the foundation are doing, Emma would then be free to spend more time doing what she loves so dearly.

[@exeter1588]

Wow Steve. You've done it again. Well said. Your reaction to Emma talking about the tragic death of Angela mirrors my own when she and her duet partner at the Liberation Concert finished their number. He says to her words to the effect 'we must tell the story of the brave young men buried here', to which she replied 'I will for as long as I can.' It was the 'as long as I can' part that broke me because I realized then that she understands just how tenuous her life is. It took me 10 minutes to get myself together after hearing her say that. I have known brave men. I was a soldier once. Emma's bravery and tenacity is off the charts. I am in as much awe of her as I am of the men I served with. Even now I'm choking up. She is a warrior of a different kind, but no less a warrior than the bravest soldier. All the best.

[@stevecgarry]

@exeter1588 I have to admit, I was very happy to see that duet go up on the liberation group, and yes, the deep emotion at the end caught my attention too, it was so natural, yet there was an edge to it, and while we've discovered a lot about Emma, we don't really know how much her daily life is compromised by the illness, she's been very good at not letting much of that side of things show, probably to avoid the wrong sort of sympathy, in many ways, she takes the negatives, and then uses that negative energy to add to her fire and intensity when performing, and it shows,it's another paradox, powerful vulnerability, and in her own incredible way she uses that to enhance her performances In special and wonderful ways. I never was in the forces,but I have several close friends who were, and I know exactly what you mean, andI thinks that's why both of us have been deeply affected, it's way more than touched, by Emma's emergence on Andre's stage and scene. For me, long may it continue, I like to think that Emma has given Andre a lift as well, he certainly pulled out all the stops to make her birthday special for her.

[@exeter1588]

So true. All that you said. We always talk about how 'special' Emma is, but it has just occurred to me that it is objectively true. Everyone who encounters Emma, whether in person or simply by watching her on video, is changed and made better for having an awareness of her. That is more than special. That is otherworldly.@@stevecgarry

[@stevecgarry]

@J.RonaldvanSteenselIt's been very apparent that her intial applause is longer, and more enthusiastic, and I've also noticed things like audience videos where small kids in the audience are singing along with some of the songs that Emma's singing, and on a number of occasions, Andre is calling her back for a second time to acknowledge the applause, and then, which caused a chuckle here, there's been a couple of videos on here in recent days where people are doing covers of Emma, singing Voila, that's how much attention she's getting, it should be Barbara Pravi that they're doing the cover of, but that's changing, and a clear indication of how much her status is changing, I've very happy she's well and truly under Andre's wings for now. There will be a lot of media vultures who would love to get their hooks into Emma, and I'm not sure I'd trust them in the way that I would trust Andre, he has so clearly shown he's taking very great care of Emma, and at the same time he's doing a lot to encourage her, the birthday was so special, in so many ways, and that was very much down to Andre and his team, they are so good at what they do, and that's the beauty of Emma being with the best, they have so much experience of what they're doing, and Emma is so closely tied in already, and seems to have really good relationships with a number of the team already. The rest of this year is for sure going to be interesting, I have to admit that I think Andre is beginning to discover Emma's full potential, while I'm sure he was very much aware that she had huge talent, and once he knew she wasn't in the least intimidated by the Vrijthof stage and audience, he could start to expand on what he is doing with her, but I'm not sure he was ready for how driven she is, that's down to her illness driving her, she is resolutely determined to succeed, and her focus is laser like, and with any luck, that will lead to some more challenging songs for her, and who knows where that will lead. The ONLY issue is her health, and if I'm honest, we really don't know the reality of how Emma is coping with the touring, I know she's not a lover of flying, and I don't know if that's partly related to the stomach issues, pressurisation in aircraft is not fun in that situation, all we can do is try and be supportive with our comments in the places where she might see them if she's looking, and hope that she knows there is a bunch of us on here who care deeply about what happens to her and with her, but at the same time, she has a huge beach on which to now walk, and enjoy, we're just a few grains of sand on that very big expanse, that's how things have changed for her.

[@frontrowchaos4597]

It's Travis, but that's ok!

[@roeloftooms]

Another rabbit hole to dive in to is Amira Willighagen. Also a young kid from the Netherlands and as Emma also did perform with Andre Rieu. Look up that performance and you will experience the same.

[@janeverse4555]

Amira is great too. She originally lived in the Netherlands, but her father and mother are divorced. At that time she was about 13 years old. Her mother came from South Africa and she went back to South Africa with Amira and her brother, where Amira is now a big star. At the age of 9 she won Holland Got Talent. A few months later she performed with Andre Rieu on the main square of Maastricht. In fact, she was 5 years younger than Emma when she started performing at that level. She is now absolute world class.

[@mrcarlotje]

'Kok' is the Dutch word for "Cook" like a 'chef cook' in a restaurant.

[@petrokooi]

Thanks for a great reaction, hope everything is okay with the family, special your son. Emma has a song called " laat mij een vlinder zijn" it's in Dutch but I give the translation too you... I think it's als a great song for your son because the lyrics.. I also will give you the link for the song, take care and bless you all, greetings from the Netherlands 😉 If I could change for a day Then it seems very nice to me Just like so many others For once not to be afraid, but to be free If I could do everything for a while Then I quickly crawled out of my cocoon Flew through the clouds towards the sun moving Live without fear and worry Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly Never had to wear a mask With my wings spread Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly I thought I was losing But I rose and conquered And only discovered through the fighting How much I could actually do But there are some moments Then I really want more than I can And I always dream about it to move Live without fear and worry Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly Never had to wear a mask With my wings spread Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly Na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na Na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na Even if it was just today Or even just for a count of ten I'll just be happy for a moment Seeing the world as another Let me be a butterfly Leave me a butterfly to move Live without fear and worry Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly Never had to wear a mask With my wings spread Let me be a butterfly Let me be a butterfly Na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na (Oh) Na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na (Ooh, yeah) Let me be a butterfly

[@petrokooi]

The link for the song kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJTbkqFvh5qmaqcsi=yhj5lfDmp0D1KsNL

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you so much for your kind words. It is people like you that make the world a better place! I will check out your link soon.

[@petrokooi]

🙏❤️🙏

[@Herka5420]

Hello Travis, First I will thank you for your sincere reaction. So you have noticed that Emma is a phenomenal singer. Her star is rising every day and she deserves it. She is as a special guest on Worldtour under the wings from Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra.(about 80 concerts) She is now preparing for Mexico. Due to her illness she does two songs before the break in the shows. She lives every song, it is so amazing. I recommend two search on KZbin for a live performance of a cover of the song "Father which she sang on the Liberationconcert september 2023 in Margraten where the fallen American soldiers are commemorated of WW2. Thanks again and keep up the good work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aYZXqpprJ7oJo

[@pioter3124]

I Agree, listening to Father will finish the job. When watching the expression on Emna's face shows how deeply connected she is with what she sings. Where it's coming from, I have no idea, because Emma has a very caring and loving father.

[@WYMAHEN]

Emma Kok... The word Kok is a normal name in Dutch. This name also stands for a person m/f who prepares meals in the kitchen/restaurant, such as... a cook who works in a three-star restaurant

[@robinakins4861]

Thanks!

[@robinakins4861]

Appreciate your sincere and emotional reaction. You are not alone, most of the first reaction reviewers feel the same. Emma is very special and much more than just a talented singer. She is a force, a force for good and love. I think she is the best female singer ever!

[@frontrowchaos4597]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate your view, comment and support.

[@janeverse4555]

Amira Wllighagen is also a great Dutch/South African singer. She originally lived in the Netherlands, but her father and mother are divorced. At that time she was about 13 years old. Her mother came from South Africa and she went back to South Africa with Amira and her brother, where Amira is now a big star. At the age of 9 she won Holland Got Talent. A few months later she performed with Andre Rieu on the main square of Maastricht. In fact, she was 5 years younger than Emma when she started performing at that level. She is now absolute world class. Her start with Andre Rieu: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWqzgmqnhdCfq68

[@robinakins4861]

I know how much Voila affected you considering Emma’s condition and your son’s. I recently watched a video by RadioUtopia video creations using Voila and Emma Kok. It is on KZbin. It really puts into perspective the fragility of life under diseases like Emma’s and your son.. It is a powerful video with Emma’s singing and a definite tearjerker but it gets the point across. All I could think about after viewing it was the health of Emma and how her disease has caused the premature death of so many, including one of her dear friends who she created a song for after her death. I worry about her so much as do millions of others. Many are fooled when they see her singing and don’t realize how fragile she really is. All I can do is pray. If you get a chance, review and give me your feedback.

[@tillypattiasina9206]

Emma is currently on a world tour with Andre and his orchestra, also in Abu Dhabi, where she sang the song Heal The World, which you should really watch, a song that Emma wants to release to the world kzbin.info/www/bejne/f53Sg3icjq16qdEsi=rJVH1tGyf-TqKUaR .

[@Steinstra-vj7wl]

Emma's name translated is: Cook.

[@fredschepers5149]

Actually it's pronounced as "cock" The Dutch word "Kok" translates in English as "chef"... Like Gordon Ramsey the "chef" would be called "Kok" (cock) in Dutch. It might be awkward and uncomfortable in the English language, but you should not change the pronunciation of names. Like your name is Steinstra... And not in English "Stenstra" or "Stinstra". In English you have to explain that the "ei" combination in Dutch is pronounced as the letter "Y"... Like in whY... Your name would be pronounced in English as"Stynstraa"... ☺️ No hard feelings tho...

[@reindervantil2582]

Kok, the o in Kok like in Fox

[@jayjackson8480]

Wishing you and yours well today and every day. Another wonderful performance by Emma. You are right she does have a sweet voice, and the delivery of this song is as she frames it. Big Thumbs Up ! The first reaction that I saw of yours was of Jackie Evancho performances of Nessun Dorma for her First PBS Great Performances Special. Jackie has only performed Hallelujah as a Duet with Peter Hollands. I think BOTH Emma's and Peter/Jackie's renditions are Great and Unique. I would really like to see your reaction to Peter /Jackie's performance, to hear your opinion of their take on "Hallelujah". The quality of the video is fairly good, not done professionally, just by a fan attending her concert, most likely on a cell phone, since filming during the concert is Prohibited. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ6qnmyXo7-ZrsU