Now based in Sydney, Emma grew up in Pyree. She attended Nowra Christian School and Nowra Anglican College before completing a Bachelor of Music Performance through the Sydney Conservatorium. 

Emma returned to the Shoalhaven last week to take part in the Ironwood developing artists–in-residence program at Bundanon.

Along with over 30 young musicians from around Australia, she spent the week working alongside some of the nation’s best musicians.

The Ironwood ensemble is committed to exploring historically informed music from the baroque, classical and romantic eras on period instruments. 

The intensive week culminated in a concert played to a full house, with Emma and her fellow trumpeters taking centre stage to perform GP Telemann’s concerto for three trumpets, two oboes, strings and Basso Continuo. 

Emma specialises in baroque trumpet as well as playing modern trumpet.

“The main difference with the baroque trumpet is that it has no valves and is a lot more unpredictable.

“I would say that it is twice as hard to play as a normal trumpet as you don’t have as much control,” she said.

When she isn’t performing Emma is kept busy teaching and she also plans to complete a Masters degree in baroque trumpet.

She performed with both the Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra and the Nowra Town Band during her school years. Both her parents and her grandparents still live in the area. 

As for plans to move back to the South Coast, it’s not completely out of the question. ‘Not quite yet, maybe when I’m a bit older,” she said.

The next event at Riversdale is Australian musician William Barton who will be performing on Sunday, August 24 at 2.30pm.