A native of Central Virginia, cellist Emma Hays Johnson is an active performer, educator, and co-founder of Empath Concerts, a concert series that cultivates open-minded dialogue about current and social affairs through music. In 2024, Empath Concerts was featured on the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, exploring the theme of Politics, Gender, and Race.
Emma also serves as Co-Artistic Director of Galatea Chamber Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making chamber music accessible to all through free chamber music concerts, mentorship programs, and community-based projects. In addition, she regularly appears with chamber series including Galatea Chamber Music, Washington Musica Viva, SoloX, and the Epiphany Tuesday Concert Series, as well as with orchestras such as the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Apollo Orchestra, New Orchestra of Washington, New Carolina Sinfonia, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and Great Falls Philharmonic. Notable collaborations include Grammy Award–winning violinist Domenic Salerni of the Attacca Quartet, as well as international stars such as Michael Bublé, Il Divo, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Her teaching roles include faculty positions at the Apex Arts Program in Anne Arundel County and the Madeira School in Great Falls, VA, as well as running her own private cello studio in North Bethesda, MD. She also serves on faculty at the New Wave Chamber Music Week in North Bethesda and Virginia Beach during the summers.
Emma earned her second Master of Music in Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying with Edward Arron. Her earlier academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree from Converse College and George Mason University, where she studied with Kenneth Law, and a Master’s degree from East Carolina University, where she studied with Emanuel Gruber.
When not performing, Emma can be found exploring the outdoors through rock climbing, backpacking, and camping, traveling to new places, and relaxing with friends, family, and her cat, Baby.