Emica Taylor started learning the flute in 2012 with Elvira Dommisse in Christchurch, New Zealand, with her passion for music leading her to Wellington in 2021 to study at Te Kōkī – The New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington. Under the tutelage of Kirstin Eade, the NZSO associate principal flute, she received her Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Flute Performance in 2023.
Whilst at the NZSM, Emica was presented with the Music Directors Award, the Therle Drake Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Music, and the NZSM Award in Woodwind Performance for 2022 and 2023. Throughout 2023 she also received the NZSO Giese Flute Grant, NYO Alex Lindsay Special Award, a Freemasons Lankhuyzen/Whetu-Kairangi Music Award, and a regrant with the Inspire Foundation.
Emica especially loves performing with orchestras, and from 2022 - 2023 she was the principal flute of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, regularly performing with Orchestra Wellington and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a casual member and appearing as guest principal flute for the Hawkes Bay Orchestra. During this time, she has also enjoyed being a part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and performing and recording with her guitar duo partner Bruno Guedea.
Emica’s two performance highlights thus far have been playing the Nielsen Flute Concerto with the Wellington Youth Orchestra as their concerto competition winner for 2022 and performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for their 75th Jubilee Anniversary Concert.
In 2024, Emica is delighted to begin her first year of studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) with Alison Mitchell. Her exposure to orchestral and chamber performances has created an ambition to pursue this as her career.
You will see Emica without her flute when she is strength training, reading, or with friends and family.
Emica is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Peter and Annie Duncan, Ann Grant, Merilyn and the late David Howorth, Fiona MacDonald and Graham McConnell, Mark Pearce, Jan Williams, Cynthia and David O'Keefe.
Photo by Pia Johnson