Emily Whittaker began teaching in 2013 and her studio encompasses students of all ages. She has held masterclasses, clinics, and lessons in the Chicago Metropolitan area.
In spring of 2021, 2024, and 2025 Emily has hosted her very own horn camp for middle school and high school students, Sunshine Horn Camp. She gave instruction to students who were eager to learn more about the French horn in a fun manner through games and activities. The students performed in a horn choir for their friends and family at the end of the week, and shared the insights they’ve learned and their highlights. Emily has also welcomed guests to work with the students including Layan Atieh, Dr. Kiirsi Maunula Johnson, Dr. Jessica Pearce, and many more.
In the summers of 2023 and 2024, 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, and performed a joint faculty horn recital in 2024. 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.
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.
