Hi there!

I’m Emma, welcome to my blog!

I began studying percussion starting at the age of ten and quickly learned that this is my life passion. Even though I was trained in Western classical music, I have always been fascinated with traditional percussion ensembles of the world and their roles culturally. I decided to continue my music education at The Shepherd School of Music from Rice University with a Bachelors in Music in percussion performance.

Upon my graduation in May 2016, I was awarded the Roy and Hazel Zeff Memorial Fellowship, which supports a year of world travel and independent study. During my Zeff year, I have engaged, and continue to engage, with the small, but growing, number of women percussionists in the world to understand the changes in cultural and socio-economic trends that have allowed them to come together. Although there has been an increase in women’s inclusion, women percussionists still face many prejudices and hardships.

Throughout my travels, I found that my interests blossomed into something greater. Instead of focusing solely on women in percussion and their roles as leaders in their respective communities, I’ve expanded my studies to include researching the ways through which politically-charged music, as well as music outreach and music therapy, can enrich entire cultures.

From music therapy in Rwanda and South Africa, to rap battles in the slums of India, I have experienced how music can uplift and empower any and all groups of people. Music is a tool that can express healing, peace, confidence, and expression of one’s self.

After my year abroad, I plan to continue studying world music, to use what I have learned in my teaching and community outreach back home in the United States.

Thank you for being an integral part of my adventure!

 

Home: Boerne, Texas, USA

July 3-August 7, 2016; Mezzano, Italy

August 7-September 19, 2016; Cape Town and the Garden Route, South Africa

September 19-October 28, 2016; Kigali, Rwanda

October 28-October 30, 2016; Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

October 30, November 5, 2016; Kigali, Rwanda

November 5-December 12, 2016; Seoul, Korea

December 12, 2016-February 6, 2017; Bali, Indonesia

February 6-February 15, 2017; Melbourne, Australia

February 15-March 1, 2017; Auckland, New Zealand

March 1-March 8, 2017; Melbourne, Australia

March 8-March 30, 2017; Mumbai, India

March 30-April 9, 2017; Pokhara, Nepal

April 9-May 5, 2017; Mumbai, Pushkar, Agra, and New Delhi, India

May 5-May14, 2017; Thailand

May 14-May 30, 2017; The Philippines

May 30-June 6, 2017; Bali, Indonesia

June 6-July 12, 2017; Buenos Aires, Argentina

July 12-July 20, 2017; Montevideo, Uruguay

July 20-August 27, 2017, Panama City, Panama

August 27, 2017; HOME- Boerne, Texas, USA