As a Minnesota-based bassoonist and contrabassoonist, Dr. Emma K. Plehal performs all over the Midwest. She is third bassoon/contrabassoon in both the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Iowa, and she is a member of the music faculty at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Emma is the founder and director of Lake Pepin Chamber Music, a chamber music organization based in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Emma has recently performed as a substitute or extra musician with orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, and with chamber music ensembles such as Music Saint Croix, 10th Wave Chamber Collective, and the Chione Wind Quintet. She has performed at the Lakes Area Music Festival annually since 2013 and previously held the roles of principal bassoon in the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra.

Emma received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance from the University of Minnesota, studying with Norbert Nielubowski. She 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.