About Emily

Emily Suzanne Shapiro is a bass clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist dedicated to exploring and creating new music. She is drawn to the bass clarinet for its expressive scope and flexibility, using these qualities to develop her own distinctive musical voice. With over thirty years’ experience playing and studying, Emily continues to approach music with a beginner’s mind, constantly embracing new styles, instruments and ways of making music.

Starting from a foundation in classical performance, her practice has grown to encompass new music, improvisation, composition and interdisciplinary collaboration, alongside jazz, klezmer, rock, electroacoustic music and other musical traditions. She has also been an active performer of Balinese gamelan for over fifteen years.

Emily studied at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Academy of Music, Concordia University and Goldsmiths, University of London, and has participated in many festivals and workshops internationally. During fourteen years based in London, UK, she performed widely across the city at venues including L’Iklectik, Café OTO, Hundred Years Gallery, LSO St Luke’s, Vault Festival and the Barbican.

Now based in Toronto, Emily continues to develop new projects and collaborations. She is currently involved with the Untitled Ensemble as a performer, composer and board member.