| Biography | Passionate about bringing live performance to everyone, Emma Purslow is a violinist and violist performing as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher and orchestral player in the UK and abroad.
Emma leads the Street Orchestra of London; described by the Guardian as truly uplifting this 40 piece ensemble aims to bring live orchestral performance to those unable to access it. Emma recently represented them as a guest speaker at the Association of British Orchestras Conference 2017. She also works with various orchestras around the UK, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Little Orchestra, Trafalgar Sinfonia, the Faust Ensemble, the Melos Sinfonia, the Orchestra of the Swan, leading the Kantanti Ensemble and co leading the Women of the World Orchestra. In her time at the Royal College of Music Emma led all the major RCM ensembles, including the RCM Symphony Orchestra in a performance for Steve Reich, the RCM Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the RCM Opera Orchestra in Albert Herring.She was privileged to be part of of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestras Shoulder to Shoulder Scheme 2015-16.
Emma has appeared in recital in venues including Lincolns Inn, the Grieghallen in Bergen, and Cividale del Friuli, Italy as a member of the Dovedale duo, a long standing musical friendship with pianist Eleanor Kornas . Recent concerto appearances include Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 with the Hereford Symphony Orchestra and Street Orchestra of London. Emma has recently enjoyed appearing in recital with Eleanor at The Elgar Rooms, in the Royal Albert Hall, St James Piccadilly, as a part of the Leeds International Concert Season and as the New Generation Young Artist at the Stift International Festival in Holland.
Emma is an enthusiastic chamber musician, and her ensemble the Vasara String Quartet have appeared in multiple venues throughout the UK and abroad. These include appearances at the Wigmore Hall, the Elgar Rooms at the Royal Albert Hall, and Kings Place, and they have also performed at venues including Leith Hill Place and the British Ambassadors Residency in Paris. In 2014 they collaborated with Marc Danel of the renowned Quatuor Danel in a performance of Mendelssohns Octet at Wigmore Hall. Emma has also played with the award winning Ruisi Quartet in the prestigious ChamberStudio Masterclasses at Kings Place. Slightly alternative venues have included the Hammersmith Apollo alongside violinist Jack Liebeck and Professor Brian Cox, Kensington Palace and the National Portrait Gallery. In her time at the RCM Emma was awarded RCM String Quartet of the Year 2012 and the Britten Intercollegiate Prize 2013. Following her time as a Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellow she now has the privilege of regularly coaching talented young chamber musicians at Pro Corda. She recently enjoyed performing at the Roman River Festival appearing alongside esteemed musicians including Clio Gould, Rebecca Gilliver and Tristan Cox, a celebration of Canadian contemporary music at the Royal Over-Seas League and a performance at MOMA Machynlleth with the Solevey Trio.
Outside of her classical musical activities Emma can often be found performing with Rwandan singer and peace advocate Jean-Paul Samputu, and has also appeared in a short film by Bohemia Junction which featured at both the Cannes and the British Independent Film Festival, as well as winning Best Short Film at the Rajasthan Film Festival 2017.
Emma plays on a Guastalla Violin generously borrowed from the Harrison Frank Foundation, and a Ceruti viola kindly on loan from the Hepner Foundation. |