About

Born in Los Angeles in 1999, Emma Wernig is a German-Austrian violist who has quickly become recognized for her expressive artistry and distinctive musical voice, establishing herself as a rising star on the international stage.

A distinguished competition laureate, Emma was awarded the Barbirolli Prize at the 2019 Tertis International Viola Competition and won the Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition in 2017. These early successes were pivotal in launching her international career. In recognition of her exceptional talent, she also received the Wilo Foundation Prize in 2021, which continues to support her development as a soloist. These prestigious accolades paved the way for a vibrant performance career, which includes concertos, recitals, and chamber music performances across Europe and beyond.

Passionate about expanding the viola repertoire, Emma made her highly praised recording debut in 2021 with an album of rare Austrian viola works, recorded with pianist Albert Cano-Smit for the Champs Hill Records label. The album was met with critical acclaim for its innovative programming and rich interpretation. In 2024, she further expanded her discography with a recording (release TBA) of Alfred Schnittke's "Concerto for Three" alongside Gidon Kremer, Magdalena Ceple, and the Kremerata Baltica, underlining her ongoing commitment to both new and established repertoire.

As a soloist, Emma has performed with orchestras including the Kremerata Baltica, Meininger Hofkapelle, Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen, Folkwang Kammerorchester, and Französisches Kammerorchester, among others. Emma is also known for her creative approach to programming. An enthusiastic arranger, she often adapts works originally written for other instruments, such as cello, violin, and voice, for the viola, having debuted her own arrangement of Schumann’s Cello Concerto in the 2024/25 season.

In addition to her solo performances, Emma is the newly appointed violist of the award-winning, Doric String Quartet. Based in London, the quartet boasts a rich history and an acclaimed discography on the Chandos label, with a reputation for dynamic performances and cutting-edge programming. Upcoming projects include a full Beethoven cycle at Wigmore Hall, as well as international tours to America, Japan, Australia, and beyond. Emma is excited to contribute her unique voice to these ambitious projects, further strengthening the quartet’s renowned presence in the world of chamber music.

Emma has collaborated with many distinguished musicians, including Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer, Lynn Harrell,  Steven Isserlis, and Christian Tetzlaff and performed at prestigious festivals including the Verbier Festival,  Aldeburgh Festival, Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Edinburgh Festival, Grachtenfestival, Grafenegg Festival, Krzyzowa Music, Gezeitenkonzerte, and the Vevey Spring Classic Festival.

In 2024, she served as 1st Principal Viola with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra and participated in the orchestra’s recording of Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" for Deutsche Grammophon under the baton of Fabio Luisi. She is also a regularly invited Guest Principal of the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Emma’s educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where she studied with Paul Coletti, and a Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music, where she studied with Ettore Causa and received the Lucy Grosvenor Memorial Prize. She has since completed an additional Master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, studying with Tabea Zimmermann.

Emma plays a viola crafted by Jason Viseltear in 2019 and currently resides in London. .

Full English and German Biographies