Emma Tomlinson - Viola
Emma Tomlinson is the English quarter of the group; growing up in Liverpool she was encouraged to learn music from a young age at school and at home. Starting on the piano she quickly picked up the violin and eventually the viola; learning primarily classical music. She was a member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and was tutored by members of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra before going to Keele University to study BSc Music and Psychology then went on to study a Masters of Research degree in Music; specializing in Chamber Music, mainly music for String Quartet. During her university studies Emma received lessons from Alex Robertson (founder member of the Brodsky Quartet) at the Royal Northern College of Music and these lessons continued after she had finished her studies. She attended the prestigious solo and chamber music course, Lake District Summer Music, for 3 summers where she was tutored by outstanding Violists Garfield Jackson (RAM), Yuko Inoue (RAM); and took part in workshops delivered by The Chilingirian Quartet, The Kuss Quartet and The Skampa Quartet. These 2-week courses gave Emma invaluable tuition and experience in solo and chamber music performance.
Consequently Emma was on course for a career in classical music, building up a freelance playing and teaching profile in the North West of England, when she decided to go on a fiddle weekend, Fèis Gleann Albainn, on her own in the Scottish Highlands, just to learn a few tunes. Little did she know that this would be the pivotal point in her music career; after the course Emma fell in love with Scotland and traditional music. Not content to resign it as a hobby, Emma spent 6 months visiting Scotland, learning about Folk Music Tradition and developing her skills. In September 2013 she started working for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on one of their junior outreach programs, which, in turn, enabled her to move to Scotland part time. Working between Liverpool and Glasgow for 8 months Emma began playing regularly in sessions in the Lismore, Ben Nevis and the Flying Duck; she joined a Cèilidh band and eventually was able to move to Glasgow full time. She immediately set about starting a project to combine her loves, String Quartet and Traditional music, which consequently led to the formation of Routes.
Emma has immersed herself in Scottish musical tradition, learning different styles and approaches to playing. This has also opened up the world of music composition in which she has started writing tunes that link her musical influences together. Emma attended the Distil residential where she gained outstanding guidance, tuition and shared ideas with other amazing musicians/composers. Emma won the MG ALBA Tutor of the Year Award 2017 for her work with students of all ages across Scotland. She is now pursuing a PhD at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland focusing on the viola in Traditional Music.
Consequently Emma was on course for a career in classical music, building up a freelance playing and teaching profile in the North West of England, when she decided to go on a fiddle weekend, Fèis Gleann Albainn, on her own in the Scottish Highlands, just to learn a few tunes. Little did she know that this would be the pivotal point in her music career; after the course Emma fell in love with Scotland and traditional music. Not content to resign it as a hobby, Emma spent 6 months visiting Scotland, learning about Folk Music Tradition and developing her skills. In September 2013 she started working for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on one of their junior outreach programs, which, in turn, enabled her to move to Scotland part time. Working between Liverpool and Glasgow for 8 months Emma began playing regularly in sessions in the Lismore, Ben Nevis and the Flying Duck; she joined a Cèilidh band and eventually was able to move to Glasgow full time. She immediately set about starting a project to combine her loves, String Quartet and Traditional music, which consequently led to the formation of Routes.
Emma has immersed herself in Scottish musical tradition, learning different styles and approaches to playing. This has also opened up the world of music composition in which she has started writing tunes that link her musical influences together. Emma attended the Distil residential where she gained outstanding guidance, tuition and shared ideas with other amazing musicians/composers. Emma won the MG ALBA Tutor of the Year Award 2017 for her work with students of all ages across Scotland. She is now pursuing a PhD at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland focusing on the viola in Traditional Music.