Eileen Garrido Bio
Eileen Nicole Garrido was born in 1999. Shortly after her birth, doctors informed her parents that Eileen had been diagnosed with a serious heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This complex heart condition is fatal if left untreated. At the age of 5 weeks, Eileen underwent her first heart surgery to extend her life. She spent the next twelve months in and out of the hospital. At the age of 13 months, Eileen underwent her second heart surgery to repair damage to her heart. In June 2014, Eileen underwent her third heart surgery to make additional repairs to her heart and put in a missing pulmonary valve. All of these surgeries were performed at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Throughout her young life Eileen was always singing around the house. In January of 2007 at the age of seven, she started taking voice lessons with Grammy nominated voice coach Marta Woodhull. In December of 2007, Eileen recorded her first CD titled “Part of Your World”. In the summer of 2008, Eileen saw her first musical, the “Phantom of The Opera”. She fell in love with musical theater.
In July of 2009, she recorded her second CD titled “Angel of Music”, which featured music from Les Miserables, Disney, Phantom of The Opera, and a song she wrote titled “Melody”. Eileen has begun work on her new CD which will feature Broadway classics and sales will benefit the Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. After attending a rare diseases conference in October of 2009 which had a profound impact on her, Eileen formed the Beating Hearts Foundation is which dedicated to helping children with Cardiovascular illnesses. Her motto, “because every child deserves a healthy beating heart”. Through the sale of her CD’s, musical performances, fundraisers, and speaking engagements, she raises money and donates it to her primary benefactor, Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She supports CHLA programs such as Holidays From The Heart and the Literally Healing reading program, along with her annual foundation toy drive and gala dinner benefiting CHLA patients. It's her way of giving back to the hospital that has saved her life in more than once. She supports and donates her time as a Junior Ambassador to Children's Hospital LA and the Children's Miracle Network. She supports other children's charities by offering to speak and perform at their events. Since 2009, Eileen has donated her time and appeared and performed at events that have helped raise millions of dollars for CHLA, CMN, and other children's charities.
She has been featured on local radio stations, speaks and performs at venues throughout Southern California and the US in support of CHLA and CMN, and has had the privilege to perform at The Mirage and MGM Las Vegas, Disney World Orlando Florida, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, Washington DC, Carnegie Hall, and many others venues. She has been recognized by California Assembly Members Calderon and Garcia, and California State Senator Hall for her community work. She was inducted into the Downey Kids Hall of Fame and Family Circle Magazine's Hall of Fame for her community work and contributions. Additionally, she was selected from over 50,000 entries as a National winner in the Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Contest for her charitable work and community involvement.
She is the recipient of the Kiwanis Youth Service Award and was made an Honorary Princess by the Downey Rose Float Association along with being awarded Honoree of The Year for her community contributions. She was awarded the 2011 Miracle Child Award at the American Music Awards pre-party by the Give Back Hollywood Foundation (presented to her by Kevin Jonas and British pop singer Estelle). She was honored to perform for the guests along with 2011 best new artist nominees, Hot Chelle Rae. She was invited to speak and perform at the Larry King Annual Gala in Washington DC. Eileen was honored to co-presented an award with Jaime Lee Curtis at the Noche De Ninos Gala benefiting CHLA and present Heidi Klum with an honorary award. She has been featured as a guest on the David Tutera show, Tu Mundo Hoy, and was a special guest on the Marie Osmond show which was a very special day for Eileen as Ms. Osmond is the co-founder of the Children's Miracle Network which Eileen supports through her philanthropic efforts.
She has worked with Jennifer Lopez on a national campaign to help increase fundraising efforts at CMN through LA residents. She’s had the honor of performing with the LA Master Chorale on two occasions including the lead vocalist in the Oratorio, “The Passion of Anne Frank”. It was a very special night for Eileen as Anne Frank’s story of hope, faith, and perseverance serves as inspiration for Eileen. Eileen collaborated with Jane Seymour’s foundation, Open Hearts, which lead to her receiving the Open Heart Award and a $10,000 donation to the CHLA Heart Institute being made in Eileen’s name. She has worked with actress Valerie Azlynn on a national campaign titled, “Rock Your Scar”. This campaign was meant to help young patients, especially young ladies, view their surgical scars as “badges of honor” and not as an embarrassment. Eileen was recognized by the Distinguished Young Women of Los Angeles for her educational accomplishments and community involvement.
Eileen has been honored by Soroptimist International and was recognized with the Violet Richardson Women of Distinction Award. She was also selected by the Archbishop of Los Angeles and received the Future Leader Angel Award by the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. Eileen was selected to represent the City of Downey Rose Parade Float and perform a song written for her by New York composer Richard Thomas, "The Song of The Cranes". She has been honored by the Panda Corporation for her work with CHLA. However, her proudest moment came in April 2011 when she was asked to sing the National Anthem to start the “Turn On The Lights” 5k walk commemorating the opening of the new hospital wing at CHLA. Her picture, CD, and story were placed in a time capsule to be opened in 2051. Eileen’s foundation donated $10,000 to CHLA.
In addition to her musical talent and philanthropic work, Eileen is a very good student. She loves school and has been on the Principals Honor Roll, a member of GATE, National Honor Society, and received the President's Award of Excellence for her academic accomplishments. She graduated from Grand Arts Visual Performing Arts High School with high honors and top vocalist. This year Eileen started her senior year at the School of Music at California State University Fullerton. She enjoys playing the piano, swimming, and going on family trips. Her dream is to one day obtain her Doctorate in Music, perform on stages around the world, and continue to heal children through her foundation and music.
