Originally from the Highlands, Emma Donald has been playing the violin since the age of 8. Growing up, she enjoyed learning both classical and traditional Scottish music, and has strived to keep both passions running simultaneously. She has a first class honours degree in music from the University of Edinburgh, and she works full time as a freelance musician based in Glasgow.
Emma is very passionate about chamber music and she is a founding member of the Fyrish String Quartet who have performed across Scotland since 2017. She is also an accomplished composer under the name Emma Jean. Her piece “The Sound of Sleepless Kings” was premiered in April 2023 by the Fyrish String Quartet. Emma is one half of the contemporary folk duo with harpist Isbel Pendlebury. Their first album Arenite is available online and their original music was featured as part of “The Farewell Glacier”, a programme broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in February 2024.
