Flutist, educator, arts administrator, mindfulness coach, and therapeutic musician in Southeast Michigan
My artistic career has always centered on mindful expression, performing, creating, teaching, advocating, coaching, fostering, and exploring. I hope you join me in the creative process!
Freelance Performance
Versatile performer available for solo, chamber music, orchestral, musical theatre, and church services
Private Lessons,
Coaching & Workshops
Welcoming private students to my home studio in Ann Arbor and offering group instruction for schools and community organizations
Artistic Programming
Crafting chamber music programs for local venues across Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas
Arts + Mindfulness Coaching
Integrating creativity and mindfulness in a judgement-free space to promote personal growth and wellness
Therapeutic Music
Offering live, soothing harp music to patients and caregivers at the bedside in healthcare and community settings
Biography
Emily Olson has performed for more than 25 years as a flutist with the Ann Arbor, Flint, Oakland, and Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestras, Michigan Sinfonietta, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, and the Encore Musical Theatre Company. A frequent performer at Kerrytown Concert House, Emily has also been a longtime contributor to the Pine Mountain Music Festival, Manistique Chamber Concert Series, and Strings on the Bay in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Originally from Minster, Ohio, Emily completed her undergraduate studies in flute performance and music education at The Ohio State University, followed by a master’s degree in flute performance from the University of Michigan. Her principal teachers include Katherine Borst Jones, Leone Buyse, and Lorna McGhee.
Emily’s academic training and professional career have led to leadership roles that blend artistic excellence with community engagement. She has coached sectionals and chamber ensembles for school districts across Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, and has maintained a private flute studio for more than thirty years. She is a founding member of the Southeast Michigan Flute Association (SEMFA), and she has held leadership positions with the Ann Arbor Symphony, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, Community Music School of Ann Arbor, and Shar Music. Most recently, Emily served as Director of Philanthropy for Arbor Hospice and Development Manager for Kerrytown Concert House.
As a Certified Music Practitioner utilizing the lever harp, Emily has provided therapeutic music at Michigan Medicine and Corewell Health, underscoring her commitment to the healing power of the arts. This work has shaped her holistic approach to mindfulness training, integrating music, sound, movement, writing, storytelling, and visual art into her practice as an Arts & Mindfulness Coach. In addition to continuing her work as a therapeutic musician, Emily serves as the artistic director of Beacon Arts Michigan, a nonprofit organization supporting chamber music series throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. She is passionate about creating meaningful artistic experiences for all and believes deeply in the power of music to build bridges, educate, and inspire.