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Video: Young newcomer to Sudbury looking to spread some holiday cheer

Emilia Peralta Castillo, 11, records music video while experiencing her first white Christmas

A young, new Sudbury resident who comes all the way from Chile is hoping to spread some holiday cheer through the gift of music.

Emilia Peralta Castillo, 11, moved to Sudbury with her parents, father Claudio Peralta Leiva, and mother Blanca Castillo Álvarez, this past summer. They came to Sudbury because Claudio is studying at Cambrian College and is hopeful of a career once he is finished there.

Emilia is now a student at MacLeod Public School. 

Despite not yet being a teenager, Emilia is a talented multi-instrumentalist, who can play the ukulele, guitar, bass guitar, drums and piano. She’s also learning to play the accordion.

Claudio is also a music lover and musician and he has been teaching his daughter since she was a little girl. 

“Emilia is a happy girl and loves the arts,” said Claudio. “She is very smart and is always looking for something new to learn.”

The family decided to share their love of music and show appreciation for their new home through what is clearly a family talent: music. So they created a music video of Emilia performing a medley of Christmas songs (accompanied by her dad) and shared it on the girl’s YouTube channel. You can find Emilia’s channel here.

Emilis said her favourite Christmas songs are “Feliz Navidad” and “Happy Xmas (War is over)”.

“It’s a family project,” Claudio said.

Coming all the way from Chile, this is the family’s first experience with snow.

“This Christmas was our first white Christmas, it was like a movie,” said Claudio. “We were very happy about that. We are from Copiapó City, north of Chile, with high temperatures all year and it hardly ever rains.”

Emilia was excited when their family of three grew to a family of four, said Claudio. Santa Claus brought her a new hamster, and they have named their new family member Maple.

“We hope Canada gives us an opportunity to stay here,” Claudio said. “We will put all our work and strength into this dream.


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Arron Pickard

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