Emma Plehal

Emma Plehal joined the South Dakota Symphony in 2021 as third bassoon/contrabassoon.

She has recently performed as a substitute or extra musician with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, Orchestra Iowa, and Duluth Superior Symphony. She has also performed at the Lakes Area Music Festival annually since 2013 and has served as principal bassoon of the La Crosse Symphony and the Saint Cloud Symphony. For the 2022-23 school year, she joins the music faculty of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

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 study involving musicians who live with type 1 diabetes. She also earned her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, studying with Charles Ullery, and her undergraduate degree at Furman University, studying with Ann Shoemaker.

Off stage, Emma worked in the Minnesota Orchestra communications department from 2015 to 2022 as a writer, editor, and media relations manager. Now, she is a freelance writer and editor for the Minnesota Orchestra and several other Midwest music organizations. She has also been the program annotator and editor for Madeline Island Chamber Music since 2014. Emma currently serves on the Board of Directors for MPLS (imPulse) choral ensemble in the Twin Cities.

When not on stage or on the road with her musical instruments, Emma lives in a very tiny house near the Mississippi River.