Emily Songster

Emily Songster – Piano & Brass (Faculty Member Since 2022):  Originally from New York, Emily Songster is a versatile musician and educator specializing in piano and brass. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master of Music in Music Education from Colorado State University, where she also earned her Kodály teaching certification.

Before settling in North Carolina, Emily was an active performer in Colorado, playing with the Colorado Wind Ensemble for thirteen years and working with groups such as William and the Romantics, Mile High Brass Quintet, Mass Hipsteria, and Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Since moving to Western North Carolina, she has performed with the Land of the Sky Symphonic Band, Asheville Jazz Orchestra, Russ Wilson and his Famous Orchestra, and as a soloist with the Blue Ridge Orchestra.

A dedicated educator with over two decades of experience, Emily nurtures well-rounded musicians by weaving theory, improvisation, composing, repertoire, technique, and ear training into her teaching. Her approach to student success follows the sentiments of the anonymous poet Atticus: “Whatever seed you are, bloom.”