Emma studied violin with Natalia Morozova at the Rotterdam Conservatorium of Music and with Jan Tawroszewicz at the University of Canterbury, completing a Bachelor of Music degree with first class honours in 1997. During this time Emma participated twice in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, enjoying masterclasses with artists such as Charles Castleman, Dong-Suk Kang and Dene Olding. Emma has led the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, the University of Canterbury Chamber Orchestra and worked as a first violinist in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. After graduating she undertook further study in Lubeck, Germany and in Italy.
An Alex Lindsay Award recipient, Emma was appointed to the NZSO First Violin Section in May 2002. She is a tutor at the Queenstown Violin Summer School, and enjoys performing in chamber orchestras and smaller ensembles including the contemporary music group Stroma.