Emma was born into a family surrounded by music and dancing and was encouraged to take up a wind instrument to encourage her to breathe properly. Emma chose the flute and played in Youth orchestras, University orchestras and windbands and still plays to this day. Having finished her studies at University, Emma took a teaching diploma on the flute and is also a keen pianist, recorder player and has dabbled with both classical and folk guitar.
Having sung with the Buckinghamshire County Youth Choir Emma went on to study Music and Classical Civilization at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth where she concentrated on the flute and piano and chose to sing with the Chamber choir, appearing on S4C. After University Emma auditioned for the Royal Choral Society where she sang “The Sun will come out tomorrow” to a rather bemused Lazslo Heltaly before being accepted into this amazing Chorus and spent 13 years singing with a fantastic group of people and was fortunate to support incredible artists such as Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Willard White and Jessye Norman, not to mention being a part of Lesley Garrett‘s TV series as well as recording a number of advert jingles. Emma's greatest thrill was recording at The Abbey Road studios (of Beatles fame) with the incredible London Symphony orchestra – and to be able to still share those Classic Rock recordings with her own children.
Children commitments determined that leave the big City which was when she discovered The Barberettes who, at that time were still singing Barbershop. This was a whole new exciting genre for Emma - incorporating not just singing but a bit of acting and moving as well!
Since taking over the baton at the front in January 2010 it is fantastic hearing the joy and sheer artistry of these ladies singing their hearts out. I know my stuff when it comes to music and singing. I love to have fun, escaping into this great world of sound each week, sharing my passion for music with this wonderful group.
