Homeless singer whose subway serenade went viral gets gig, donations

According to the Los Angeles Times, Emily Zamourka, 52, made headlines last week after the Los Angeles Police Department shared a video of her singing Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro" in a subway station.

"4 million people call LA home. 4 million stories. 4 million voices ... sometimes you just have to stop and listen to one, to hear something beautiful," the department captioned the clip, which has been viewed nearly 1 million times.

>> Watch the video here

KTLA reported that the video inspired two verified GoFundMe campaigns, which had raised more than $77,000 for Zamourka by Wednesday morning. She's also been hired to sing at a Saturday event on San Pedro's new Little Italy strip, Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino's spokesman, Branimir Kvartuc, told the Times.

>> Need something to lift your spirits? Read more uplifting news

The Russian-born Zamourka, who is primarily a violinist and pianist, said she taught herself to sing, according to the newspaper. She came to the United states nearly three decades ago, initially taking jobs at a nursing home and restaurant before she eventually began to teach piano lessons, the Times reported.

But Zamourka's health started to deteriorate, and she hit a financial rough patch, she said. She was able to make extra money as a street musician until someone broke her violin, the Times reported. She later became homeless, she told the newspaper.

Now, things finally appear to be looking up.

"If it's God's will for my life to change, then I will praise Him and be so grateful," she told KTLA.

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