British born Emma Purslow (b. 1994) is a violinist and violist working as a chamber musician, educator, soloist and orchestral player in the UK and abroad.

Emma is an enthusiastic chamber musician who is in demand throughout the UK and abroad. Her ensemble the Alkyona Quartet are String Quartet Fellows at the Royal College of Music for 2022-20234, and were awarded the Tunnell Trust Award 2020-2021 and Making Music Artists 2020-2021. Recent appearances include festivals such as the Stift International Music Festival, Huygens Festival (Netherlands) Lichfield Festival, Koroni Festival (Greece), Lake District International Summer Festival and the Hvinde Sande Festival in Denmark. They were musicians in residence at Leighton House Museum 2020-2023, and recently enjoyed a residency at Quartetthaus 2023 Festival in Melbourne. As well as her work with the Alkyonas, she has enjoyed guest performing with the Navarra Quartet, Sacconi Quartet and Explore Ensemble in 2023 and taking part in inspirational festivals such as Stamford International Festival, Presteigne Festival, Roman River Festival and O’Modernt Summer and Winter Festivals.

Emma is a sought-after teacher, educator and workshop leader working both in London and throughout the UK. She is a violin teacher and chamber coach at Chetham’s School of Music, works closely with Musiko Musika, an organisation that celebrates diversity through music, coaches regularly for the National Children’s Orchestra, Royal College of Music Junior Department and the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Education and Community Program. She is a member of the Chilean band Quimantu, and works closely with them creating opportunities for people of all cultures to express themselves through music.

Emma also enjoys a freelance orchestral career performing regularly as a member of O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, and freelancing with Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales as well as many others around the UK. Emma led the Street Orchestra of London between 2016-2019. Described by the Guardian as “truly uplifting” this 40-piece ensemble brings live performance to those unable to access it. Emma represented them as a guest panellist at the Association of British Orchestra’s conference 2017.

Solo performance has always been an important part of Emma’s portfolio, and recent concerto appearances include the Vivaldi Four Seasons for Musique Cordiale Festival at the Faversham Assembly Rooms, Piazzolla Seasons for the same festival in Seillans, France, Barber Violin Concerto, Beethoven Concerto with Oundle Orchestra and Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 with the Hereford Symphony Orchestra and Street Orchestra of London. Emma loves performing duo recitals with her long term collaborator Eleanor Kornas, and recent recitals include the St David’s Music Festival, Bollington Festival and appearances in Berlin among others.

 Emma plays on a 1713 Venetian violin generously on loan from the Harrison-Frank Foundation, and a Ceruti viola kindly on loan from the Hepner Foundation, with particular thanks to Regina Hepner.