Emma Olsen composed and performed her first piano piece when she was 10. However, it was playing trombone in her primary school band that ignited her passion for ensembles. Growing up in Tamworth, Emma played in the local orchestra, concert band and big band. At the age of 15, her first orchestral composition was performed at a regional music camp.

It was these good memories of musical collaboration and community that inspired her to return to music at an older age. She is currently studying composition at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and won the Australian Women’s Wind Band Competition Award 2023 for the Developing Band category.