Through eloquent sound and inspiring characters, American cellist, Emily Maher, presents impactful musical stories that linger with audiences beyond the final note.
As a freelance musician, Emily has performed for orchestral concerts, special events, and worship services across the state of Texas. She enjoys playing in pit ensembles for musical theatre and opera productions, and believes that every show is best observed from below the stage. An avid chamber musician, Emily currently shares music with the community in a piano-cello duo. She has previously played in The Prokofiev Quartet, earning 3rd prize in the 2022 George Papich Chamber Music Competition, and Trio 22.
Emily is a passionate music educator: providing cello lessons and group classes to students of all ages and skill levels. She has served as a teaching artist for organizations including Through the Staff, The University of North Texas Virtual Private Lesson Program, and school districts throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. Her students have earned superior ratings at UIL contests and audition placements in competitive regional ensembles. Emily cultivates a supportive, growth-oriented environment in lessons and instills strong foundational skills in her students. Having started playing the cello “late” herself, she believes you are never too old to learn something new. Regardless of what you do, music can help you. Emily is honored she has the privilege to share her love of music and shape the next generation of cellists.
Performing and teaching have given Emily a great appreciation for quality behind-the-scenes logistics work. She has worked as an academic music and performance librarian throughout her musical studies. She has served as the Circulation/Chamber Music Librarian for the Aspen Music Festival and School and as the Graduate Services Assistant in Music Processing at the University of North Texas Music Library. In these roles, Emily has prepared sheet music for large scale symphonic performances; mastered skills of book binding, rapid cataloging, and research; and crafted the Browsing for Music Materials LibGuide.
Emily received her Master of Music (MM) and Bachelor of Music (BM) in Cello Performance from the University of North Texas (UNT), where she was a student of Nikola Ružević. During her time at UNT, she enjoyed performing in almost every string ensemble, participating in masterclasses of the Virtual Summer Cello Festival, studying string pedagogy, and gradually adopting an appreciation for the color green. Emily currently aspires to pursue her Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA), teach cello at the university level, pilot creative musical projects as a freelance cellist, and enjoy a life rich with music.