Emma Halnan

Since winning the woodwind category of the BBC Young Musician competition in 2010, flautist Emma Halnan has been in high demand for her solo and collaborative performances in the UK and internationally.

As a concerto soloist, Emma has performed with orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Mozart Players, European Union Chamber Orchestra and Welsh Sinfonia. She has also recorded David Matthews’ flute concerto with the Ulster Orchestra. She has performed live on BBC television and radio, including on Radio 3’s In Tune on many occasions.

As an orchestral flautist, Emma has worked with ensembles including the Ulster Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, London Mozart Players, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera and English National Opera. Emma also plays historical flutes, freelancing with ensembles such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (including BBC Proms), Gabrieli Consort and Arcangelo. She was principal flute of the European Union Youth Orchestra 2014-16.

Emma also teaches at Wells Cathedral School and the University of Cambridge. She has given masterclasses at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban, and taught on courses including the Oxford Flute Summer School. Emma’s other awards include the Royal Overseas League Competition (Sussex Prize for Woodwind), the Sir Karl Jenkins/Arts Club Classical Music Award, Making Music Young Artist scheme, Hattori Foundation, Martin Musical Scholarship Fund and the Kenneth Loveland Gift. Emma is also a City Music Foundation artist. Emma studied at the Royal Academy of Music with William Bennett, Kate Hill, Patricia Morris and Lisa Beznosiuk, and previously with Anna Pope at the Purcell School of Music. She later studied privately with Robert Winn. She was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in 2024.