Emily Whittaker began teaching in 2013 and her studio encompasses students of all ages. She has held masterclasses, clinics, and lessons both in the General Toronto Area and the Chicago Metropolitan area.
In the summer of 2023, Emily was seen as faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and taught technique sessions, sectionals, and private lessons. She performed with the Festival Wind Band as well as the Festival Orchestra rotating between principal horn and second horn. Additionally, she co-hosted a masterclass where college students performed solos and excerpts and received feedback on their playing and helpful tools to continue their growth as a musician.
She has also been seen on the faculty at the Summer Music Society, a music camp with middle school-aged students, both teaching and and performing in Port Elgin, ON.
She has taught at the People’s Music School, and at various high schools, including Mather High School, Glen Crest Middle School, Glenbard High School, Downer’s Grove North High School, and has led clinics and adjudicated at Mundelein High School, and Deerfield High School. In Toronto, Emily held masterclasses at the Royal Conservatory and at Markham District High School for middle school and high school students.
In 2021, Emily curated a weeklong virtual summer horn camp, for middle school-aged students filled with activities, games, and lots of playing. Each day had specific discussion topics and included resources for practice techniques, fundamentals, and age-appropriate performance strategies, specifically for their respective band classes at school.
Emily’s primary research focuses on efficient practicing, the power of accountability, and audition preparation. In 2019, she compiled a curriculum for beginner French horn players, containing resources and a step-by-step guide for learning the fundamentals.
Emily is a passionate and positive teacher for young players and gives everything she has learned back to her students. She keeps their experiences at the forefront of her preparation and creates lesson plans, and specific exercises targeting their individual needs and interests. Through high-quality lessons both online and in-person, Emily creates a positive and safe environment where students leave feeling empowered and confident to have fun playing the horn!
Emily motivates and inspires students to cultivate a life-long passion and appreciation for music and music-making.
