Emily began playing piano at the age of 7, and then began cello at the age of 8 in Garland, Texas. She has lived and studied in Dallas, Germany, New York, and Seattle. In high school she was principal cellist of her public school orchestra, and served as associate principal cellist of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. Choir, theater, piano and trombone were some of Emily’s secondary interests. After graduating in 2008 she attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington and earned a Cello Performance degree. While studying at CWU, the cello professor sent students to take private lessons from Emily if they weren’t majoring in cello performance.
In 2013 Emily moved to Boise, Idaho where she built a full private studio teaching children and adults. She performed frequently around the Treasure Valley as a soloist and in chamber groups, volunteered with local orchestras, coached ensembles and visited public school programs. In the summers of 2015-2017 she created and led Boise Summer Chamber Music, a group program for middle and high school students. In the summer of 2018 she led an adult only cello ensemble which performed with a local orchestra.
Emily moved to Salem, Oregon in August 2019 and is currently accepting private students. She performs with the Salem Philharmonia, and the Willamette Valley Symphony. She teaches with Music Lessons Project in Title 1 schools, and is a licensed substitute teacher (so you may see her in your orchestra class!).
Emily has explored genres like jazz, folk, and improvisation. She continues her personal practice to build classical repertoire, and perform new ensemble pieces. Unrelated personal interests include flying trapeze and aerial arts, hiking with her two dogs, white water kayaking, and reading fiction with a cup of hot tea.
Education
Bachelor's of Fine Arts, Cello Performance - Central Washington University
Private Teachers - John Michel in Ellensburg, WA; Miriam Shames in Seattle, WA; Ella Toovy in New York City, NY; Herr Stengel in Wurzburg, Germany
Awards and Honors
Featured Soloist and Principal Cellist for Serenata Orchestra - Boise, ID 2016 to 2019
Judge for Idaho Solo and Ensemble Competition -Boise, ID 2017
Maestro Award for Outstanding Instrumentalists - Anaheim, CA, 2008
Creative Writing Award - West Point Military School, NY, 2007
Notable Solo Pieces Performed
Tchaikovsky - Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33
Kabalevsky - Cello Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.49
Boccherini - Cello Concerto No.9 in Bb Major, G.482
Brahms - Cello Sonata No.1 in E minor, Op.38
Grieg - Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 36
Chopin - Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.65
Mendelssohn - Cello Sonata No.1 in B flat Major, Op.45
Bach - Cello Suites 1 through 5
Emily plays on a Stradivarius B model cello, crafted by Reinhold Schnabl in 2000 in Bubenreuth, Germany. She uses a Bausch bow of the same year.