Abram Wilson Foundation Professional Development Programme 2021
Serious/Cryptic AirTime Artist 2018
Oxford Contemporary Music BOOM Artist in Residence 2018
Emma Smith studied double bass at the Royal College of Music where she was trained in classical double bass technique and repertoire. Building on the language of classical music, and exploring the story-telling aspect of folk music from different parts of the world, Emma has forged a career as a versatile composer, improviser and collaborator. An advocate for gender balance in the arts, and with support from Serious/Cryptic, she produces the multi-genre series Bitches Brew, which showcases the best of female instrumental improvising talent, and she produces radio show Women of the World : Take Over, interviewing activists from around the world and featuring music by female artists. Emma works for Musicians without Borders using music in post-conflict areas to 'bridge divides, connect communities, and heal the wounds of war', During her time with OCM she explored the effect of extreme environments on our perception of time and identity, culminating in her solo show The Relentless Approach of Better Times.