Emma Eden is a proud Kiwi who began her musical life in Timaru playing the tenor horn in the Waimataitai School Brass Band.

After graduating with first class honours (studying with Heather Thompson) from Massey University in Wellington, Emma received a full scholarship to attend the Banff Summer Music School in Canada and then moved to Toronto for further study with Joan Watson. Emma was also the recipient of both Winston Churchill and Auckland Philharmonia Foundation scholarships to undertake intensive study in Berlin with members of the Berlin Philharmonic horn section.

While living in Wellington, Emma won both the 2nd and 1st Horn positions in Orchestra Wellington before winning the Principal 3rd Horn job in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, a position she enjoyed for over ten years.

In 2020, Emma was delighted to moved back to the South Island to join Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as Principal Horn. She also enjoys teaching at The University of Canterbury and Burnside High School.

Emma has been fortunate to perform in orchestras and ensembles in the UK, Europe, China, Australia and Canada. She has appeared as a soloist with several New Zealand orchestras including Auckland Philharmonia, Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Auckland Symphony Orchestra and has also performed in all of New Zealand’s major orchestras and the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.

Emma is passionate about music education and it’s ability to connect people and make meaningful changes in our communities.

She completed study in Amsterdam run by Musicians Without Borders, focusing on how to facilitate music workshops within refugee and former refugee communities.

Emma believes the skills you acquire while learning an instrument or performing in an ensemble are invaluable for building confident, resilient and hard working individuals, which strongly influence the communities we live in.

It is Emma’s long-term goal to ensure that musical opportunities are made accessible to all communities here in Aotearoa.

Outside of music Emma enjoys spending time with her wife and two children, pottering in the garden and waterskiing.