Emma Plehal is a freelance bassoonist and contrabassoonist based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She has recently performed as a substitute or extra musician with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Des Moines Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Superior 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 is also a regular program annotator for Madeline Island Chamber Music and other Midwest chamber music organizations.
Emma received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance from the University of Minnesota, studying with Norbert Nielubowski. Her graduate research centered around a detailed study involving performing musicians who live with Type 1 Diabetes. Emma earned her undergraduate degree at Furman University, studying with Ann Shoemaker, and her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, studying with Charles Ullery.