Emma Taylor is a bassist, vocalist, and educator based in Central Illinois where she currently serves as Professor of Bass at Millikin University. After graduating from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Business and Commercial Music, Emma received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While studying under the direction of Larry Gray at UIUC, she served as the Jazz Bass Teaching Assistant, the Classical Bass Teaching Assistant, and the director of Jazz Band III.
Emma has played with renowned musicians such as Carl Allen, Jim Snidero, Derrick Gardner, Jim Pugh, Gary Smulyan, Tito Carrillo, Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez, Joel Spencer, and Chip McNeill. In addition to performing throughout the United States, Emma has also toured in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Mexico鈥攎ost recently completing a two week-long residency performing and teaching classes in Brazil at the Federal University of Uberl芒ndia.
Emma is also a member of Simply This Quintet, a collaborative ensemble that performs original compositions by members of the band. Simply This regularly tours and presents masterclasses at universities and music conferences, recently performing at Furman University and Anderson University in South Carolina, The Ohio State University, and Millikin University. Emma has also been invited to perform at national conferences including Jazz Education Network, Midwest Band and Orchestra Association, North American Saxophone Alliance, and International Society of Bassists Convention. She is a member of the Women in Jazz Organization. Website: EmmaMTaylor.com