As a Minnesota-based bassoonist and contrabassoonist, Dr. Emma K. Plehal performs all over the Midwest. She is third bassoon/contrabassoon in the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and currently serves on the music faculty of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Emma is currently working on a project to develop a series of chamber music concerts in Red Wing, Minnesota, with the help of several inspirational musicians and community members. The first of hopefully many concerts took place in the beautiful restored barn at the Anderson Center at Tower View in August 2023.

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 Orchestra Iowa, 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 role 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.