Emma Noël Votapek has been a 1st violinist in the Honolulu (now Hawaii) Symphony since 2004, and is Principal 2nd Violin of the GRAMMY-nominated ensemble True Concord Voices & Orchestra, which she began playing with during her time as Assistant Principal 2nd Violin of the Tucson Symphony. In addition to performing with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, she performs regularly with the San Francisco Symphony, and also plays with the San Francisco Opera. She has held positions in the Oakland Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, and the Santa Cruz Symphony, and appeared regularly as guest principal with the Fresno Philharmonic.

An active chamber musician, Emma has performed recently at the Aloha International Piano Festival and the Music in May and Silicon Valley Music Festivals, and has appeared throughout the Bay Area with Ensemble San Francisco. While living in Arizona, she spent four seasons as the violist of the Kingfisher String Quartet.

In addition to performing, Emma has over 20 years of experience teaching and coaching chamber music, most recently at the Sierra Academy of Music, and as a Visiting Assistant Professor of violin at the University of Arizona. She has also been on the faculty of the Punahou School (Honolulu, HI) and the St. Joseph’s School of Music (St. Paul, MN). During the summer, she performs in the Britt Festival and the Unbound Chamber Music Festival (Mammoth Lakes, CA).

Emma received a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Jorja Fleezanis. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rice University as a student of Sergiu Luca, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance and a Bachelor of Arts in economics.