Emily Stone

Description

Harpist Emily Stone distinguishes herself as an award-winning ensemble, chamber, and solo musician based in Chicago, IL. She performs frequently with numerous ensembles across the United States including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and New World Symphony. She has toured with artists such as Il Volo and Josh Groban. An avid chamber musician, she is a founding member of Duo D'Or (Flute and Harp). An advocate of new music, she is the principal harpist and a featured artist with the New Earth Ensemble in Chicago, IL.

Work Sample

The title of this work is "Granada" by Agustin Lara arranged by Salzedo. The arrangement is a concert fantasy based on a popular song called "Granada". I performed this work on March 5, 2022, and this piece is 5 minutes and 8 seconds in length.

The title of this work is "Concierto de Aranjuez" by JoaquÃ

The title of this work is Brown Girl from "From The Black Belt" by William Grant Still arranged by Portanova. I performed this piece on March 5, 2022, and the piece is 3 minutes and 45 seconds in length.

These samples represent some of the BIPOC composers' works I have performed and are works that I believe are important and relevant to today's world of classical music. My body of work is a sphere of advocacy, and it is important to me to continue to diversify my own solo repertoire. In my orchestral work, I strive to advocate for inclusivity of all composers and when working with different ensemble across the United States, I work to advocate for BIPOC and female representation in classical music.

History

Born in Nashville, TN, Emily Stone began her piano studies at age five and at eleven on the harp. An alumna of the Eastman School of Music, Ms. Stone earned her B.M. degrees in Harp Performance and Music Education with a minor in French and Performer's Certificate. She continued her graduate studies at Northwestern University where she received her M.M. degree in Harp Performance. Ms. Stone is as an award-winning ensemble, chamber, and solo musician based in Chicago, IL. She performs frequently with numerous ensembles across the United States.

Artistic Vision

As a female artist and mental health advocate, a monumental part of who I am as an artist revolves around my advocacy for the importance of working with female musicians, performing female musicians' works, and creating safe spaces for women. In the last few years, I have begun to work more exclusively with living composers' repertoire and especially female composers such as Caroline Lizotte, Jennifer Higdon, Missy Mazzoli, and Brandee Younger. As 21st century performers, artists should be performing works by current composers because they are the now of classical music and performing current works maintains the relevancy of classical music in society. This focus on female musicianship and performing living composers works also translates into my advocacy for mental health in musicians. As an artist, one of my goals is to create safe spaces for my audiences in my performances which grants them permission to be vulnerable listeners and experience the emotional beauty I work to present. Music is an important sphere of advocacy, and since music has always been a safe space for me, it is important to me as an artist to continue to create meaningful music and safe spaces for all audiences.