Unity's Victory Brinker releasing EP of favorite Christmas songs

Fans who have missed Victory Brinker since the Sept. 14 finale of “America’s Got Talent” are in luck.

Just in time for Christmas, the 9-year-old opera diva from Unity is releasing her first EP, “The Wonder of Christmas. It will be available beginning Friday on all digital retailers and streaming services.

The four featured songs — “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Ave Maria” and “Pie Jesu” — are among Victory’s favorites, according to her mother, Christine Brinker.

“I just love Christmas and I love Christmas songs,” Victory said.

No wonder, since the holiday is a big deal for her and her 10 siblings.

“We wake up early and stay in our pajamas all day,” Christine said. “The kids open one gift at a time and sometimes they’ll stop and play. It takes all day. There’s just a slow, peaceful pace and we enjoy just spending the time together.”

“And my mom makes 20 kinds of cookies,” Victory added.

Victory will be promoting the EP on a tour of radio and television shows. Her itinerary is still in the planning stages, but the multi-city tour will take place during November and December, Christine said.

Staying local

The EP was produced by audio engineer Daniel Blake at his The Schoolhouse recording studio in Armbrust. It will be marketed and distributed through Monark Entertainment.

Blake also produced a video with Victory singing in German, which was used to promote DreamWorks’ “Trolls World Tour” movie.

“We loved working with Daniel and we love supporting local businesses,” Christine said.

“And he’s really funny,” Victory said.

For Victory’s first recording, they decided on an EP rather than a full-length album due to the time constraints they faced.

“A lot of artists are starting in July with their Christmas albums, but coming off of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ it was a push to get (an EP) out with all the other things she’s doing,” Christine said.

Though Victory wakes up singing and sings all day long, Christine said, her attention also has been focused lately on a non-music project­ — collecting 1,000 cans of yams to be included in Thanksgiving meal boxes being distributed by Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh.

“It’s called ‘I Yam What I Yam,’ ” Victory said.

“Victory was so touched by all the homeless people she saw in California,” Christine said.

On the day the EP is released, Victory and her mother will be in Houston, Texas, where Victory will sing at a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards event.

The annual regional ceremonies honor people “who exhibit outstanding character, work ethic, and dedication to their communities.” In Houston, honorees will be rapper and philanthropist Trae the Truth, Houston police Chief Troy Finner, former Houston Texans guard Chester Pitts and Tommy Norman, a police officer from North Little Rock, Okla.

At the black-tie event, Victory will sing the national anthem, a prayer and “Casta Diva,” an aria from the Bellini opera “Norma” that she sang on “AGT.”

She also will receive a service award and a proclamation from the City of Houston, Christine said.