Emma Plehal is a 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, Des Moines Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and The Musical Offering. She 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 note annotator for Madeline Island Chamber Music for the past five years and recently for The Musical Offering chamber ensemble. She has served as a guest performer and educator for 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 completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance at the University of Minnesota, studying with Minnesota Orchestra musician Norbert Nielubowski. She earned her undergraduate degree at Furman University and her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. Her primary teachers have also included Charles Ullery, Ann Shoemaker and Ryan Romine.