Emma Plehal is a bassoonist and contrabassoonist based in Eagan, Minnesota. She has recently performed as a substitute or extra musician with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and The Musical Offering. She is a current member of the Solerna Wind Quintet and previously held the position of principal bassoon with the Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra. An active arts administrator, Emma is the Communications Manager and Assistant Editor at the Minnesota Orchestra. She has also been a program annotator for Madeline Island Chamber Music and other Midwest chamber music organizations. She has appeared as a guest performer and educator at the music departments of Bemidji State University, Saint Cloud State University, Bethel University, University of Wisconsin-River Falls and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Emma received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Norbert Nielubowski. She earned her undergraduate degree at Furman University and her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, studying with Ann Shoemaker and Charles Ullery respectively.