Emma studied violin under Natalia Morozova at the Rotterdam Conservatorium of Music and with Jan Tawroszewicz at the University of Canterbury.

In 1997, Emma completed a Bachelor of Music degree with first-class honours. She participated in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music during her studies, enjoying masterclasses with artists such as Charles Castleman, Dong-Suk Kang, and Dene Olding. After graduating, she pursued further studies in Lubeck, Germany, and Italy.

She previously led the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and the University of Canterbury Chamber Orchestra and worked as a first violinist in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

An Alex Lindsay Award recipient, Emma joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a first violinist in 2002. She enjoys performing in chamber orchestras and with smaller ensembles, including the contemporary music group Stroma.

Emma plays a violin (which she loves) made by Togo Matsuda in Christchurch.

I don’t really have any rituals before I go on stage. I tune my violin, give it a little clean, rosin my bow and try to remember both when I walk on stage!