About Emma

Emma Taggart is an eight year old classically trained pianist. Emma started lessons at age four with Mrs. Mary Carloni.  After a year under the careful tutelage of Mrs. Carloni, Emma was referred on to Julliard graduate, Dr. Reid Smith.

As a pianist, Emma has blossomed working with Dr. Smith.  His teaching has allowed Emma to explore the potential of her ability. This ability, coupled with instruction, daily practice, and hard work at home, has allowed Emma to progress quickly.

In August of 2009, Emma was invited to participate in the Gabala International Piano Festival in Azerbaijan.  At six years of age, Emma was the youngest pianist invited to play in this International Music Festival.  Emma did very well at the festival and was one of two participants in the festival invited to play at Steinway Hall in New York City.

Emma released her first self-produced CD, "Emma:  Age 6," in 2009, and she was featured as a soloist at the Dellwood Hills Salon Concert Series in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

In the summer of 2009, Emma made it to the semi-finals in the 12 and under division of the MN State Fair talent show.  Emma won first place in the 13 and under division of the Epiphany Springfest in 2009 and 2010, and first place in the open division in 2011.  In July of 2010, Emma was invited to the Vallaro International Piano Festival in Varallo, Italy.  There, she studied with some of the top Master Pianists in the world, including Vicenzo Balzani and Shuku Iwasaki.  She was awarded the Varallo International Piano Festival Performance Award , which included a cash prize of 500 Euros.

Emma was recently featured on television during the “Golden Apple” segment on channel 45.

Emma recently performed her first solo recital concert in the Twin Cities and in Park Rapids, MN. Emma also released her second CD, “Emma Taggart: Year Eight” which features over 40 minutes of classical music from her award winning solo repertoire.

Emma will be attending her third International Music Festival in Norma, Italy in August of
2011.  She has been invited to perform a solo recital there.

Emma's Current Musical Program:

Here is the current program Emma will be performing during the summer of 2011.

Bach Prelude and Fugue in C Minor BWV 847 from the Well Tempered Clavier, Volume 1

Bach Partita No 1 BWV 825
                Praeludium
                Allemande
                Corrente
                Sarabande         
                Menuet I            
                Menuet II
               
Mozart Sonata No 9 in D Major, K 311
                Allegro con Spirito
                Andante con Espressione            
                Rondeau (Allegro)

Chopin Nocturne in F Minor Op 55 No 1

Chopin Etude in F Minor Op. Post.

Chopin Etude in F Minor Op. 25, No 2 (this is the one she’s been playing for a while, not sure if you want her to include this or not)

Shumann Arabeske, Op 18

Debussy Arabesque No 1 in E Major

Gillock Lyric Preludes in Romantic Sytle
                Forest Murmurs
                Seascape
                October Morning
                Deserted Ball Room
                Legend
                Interlude
                Song of the Mermaid
                Summer Storm
                A Faded Letter 
                Dragon Fly
                Moonlight Mood
                Autumn Sketch
                Procession of the Mandarin
                Winter Scene
                Serenade
                Humming Bird
                Fountain of Diana
                Phantom Rider
                Soaring
                The Silent Snow
                Night Song
                Night Journey   
                An Old Valentine
                A Witch’s Car