BIO | Emma Vakiener Music

BIOGRAPHY

“Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.” ~ Aristotle

Emma Vakiener is a freelance trumpeter and music educator hailing from Elmira, NY who has experience and interests in all types of music varying from Classical, Jazz, Commercial, and Baroque genres. She has had a passion for music since she was a young child. She began singing at 8 years old in St. Mary Our Mother Church's Children's Choir. The following year, she picked up the trumpet, and has kindled a love for it ever since.

Emma has performed in multiple ensembles, including The Corning Community Concert Band, The Twin Tiers Community Orchestra, The Twin Tiers Trumpet Ensemble, The Twin Tiers Brass Quintet, and multiple ensembles at Ithaca College including The IC Concert Band, The IC Wind Symphony, The IC Wind Ensemble, The IC Jazz Ensemble, and The IC Trumpet Ensemble.

Emma is a previous winner of the Todd Thomas Music Scholarship and has performed in solo and duet performances with Todd Thomas, baritone. Emma also regularly performs at church services in the Elmira & Corning areas.

In the summer of 2018, Emma was contracted as a trumpet player at 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from New London, Connecticut, and toured venues on the East Coast and Midwest. Finally, she performed at the Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Emma earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with concentrations in Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Ithaca College in 2023. She had the pleasure of studying with esteemed faculty, including studying trumpet under the tutelage of Dr. Jared Wallis and Jazz Studies under Mike Titlebaum. Emma hopes to continue her trumpet studies by obtaining her Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance in the Fall of 2024.

Emma also earned her Initial Education Certification in New York State for Music Grades Pre-K -12th Grade. She is currently a member of The International Trumpet Guild, The National Association for Music Education, New York State School Music Association, and Mu Phi Epsilon (Lambda Chapter).

A full resume of musical experiences can be found below.