Piano prodigy Emily Bear, who was featured on WGN News at 6, working as composer on ‘Moana 2’

A piano prodigy from Rockford, Ill., who was featured on WGN News at 6-years-old, is composing songs for Disney’s “Moana 2.”

Emily Bear announced Wednesday that she and fellow Grammy winner Abigail Barlow have written all the new songs for the upcoming animated film.

In a Facebook post, Bear wrote, “I’m literally shaking writing this but for the last TWO years, Abigail and I have secretly been living a songwriters dream, WRITING ALL THE NEW SONGS FOR MOANA 2……… this has literally been the hardest thing to keep secret but I am SO SO beyond excited to finally be able to start sharing this journey with you all. The adventure of our favorite wayfinder continues and it’s better than ever.”

Former WGN News Anchor Steve Sanders first introduced Bear in 2008 when she was just 6-years-old and admired Mozart. She then had dreams of becoming a classical composer and film scorer like John Williams. The original video now has over 33 million views on YouTube.

Sanders also did a follow-up on Bear in 2018 when she was one of eight distinguished Illinois residents who received the Order of Lincoln Award. It is the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service. Emily was the youngest person, at the time, to ever win that award. She was 16.

“Moana 2” is scheduled to hit theaters this November.