Emily Rudquist is a recent graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, earning a BA in music under Dr. Yumiko Oshima-Ryan on piano and Dr. Chad Winterfeldt on organ. During her studies, Emily was named the Collegiate Piano Festival Winner at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and was earlier selected as a Featured Round Finalist for MPR’s Minnesota Varity in 2011. In addition to solo performance, Emily played with the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, touring Greece and Macedonia in 2016, while also accompanying The Choir of Christ Chapel and playing with The Gustavus Jazz Combos.
Right now, Emily is the organist at Macalester Plymouth United Church. She previously was the worship assistant at the Lutheran Summer Music Program where she accompanied the Chapel Choir and helped lead worship services. She began working as a church musician at age thirteen and previous churches include Bethany Lutheran Church in Deer River, MN and Bernadotte Lutheran Church in Layfette, MN.
In addition to performance work, Emily teaches piano and organ to students of all ages. Previously, she taught lessons though the Piano Lab School in St. Peter, and she now works with Chaska Music Studios. In her free time, Emily loves spending time outside in the garden and reading about matters going on in today’s world.
Gustavus Adolphus College | St. Peter, MN (2012-2016) B.A. in Music Performance Studied with Dr. Yumiko Oshima-Ryan (Piano) and Dr. Chad Winterfeldt (Organ)
Employment
Organist | Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul, MN Mid-August-Present
Lead congregational singing from piano and organ
Select and prepare additional service music like prelude, offering, postlude
Lutheran Summer Music Program Worship Assistant Summer 2016
Collaborate with the worship team to plan service music
Accompany Chapel Choir and play for daily services as needed
Choir of Christ Chapel Accompanist | Gustavus Adolphus College 2015-2016
Collaborate directly with the conductor and assist all choir rehearsals
Piano Lab Teacher | St. Peter, MN 2015-2016
Teach students ages 7-16, creating specialized lesson plans for each student
Music Theory Teaching Assistant | Gustavus Adolphus College 2015-2016
Assist music majors to obtain piano proficiency
Church Musician | Bernadotte Lutheran Church, Lafayette, MN Summer 2015-2016
Lead congregational singing from piano and organ
Student Accompanist | Gustavus Adolphus College 2012-2016
Collaborate with solo vocal and instrumental students
Perform for senior recitals, studio classes, auditions, and juries
Church Musician | Bethany Lutheran Church, Deer River, MN 2006-2012
Honors
Honor’s Day Recitalist | Gustavus Adolphus College May 2016 Collegiate Piano Festival Winner | University of Northwestern, St. Paul 2014 Summer Concert Guest Musician | Grand Rapids, MN 2012/2014 Dean’s Scholarship | Gustavus Adolphus College 2012-2016 Jussi Björling Music Scholarship | Gustavus Adolphus College 2012 Student of the Year Award | MMTA Foundation 2012 Featured Round Finalist | Minnesota Varsity (MPR) 2012
Continuing Education
Worship 101 | The Center for Worship and Music Studies Fall 2015 Conference on Liturgy | Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN January 2015
Additional Experience
Choral and Basic Conducting Classes | Gustavus Adolphus College 2015-2016 Gustavus Symphony Orchestra | Gustavus Adolphus College 2014-2016 Tours: East Coast 2015, Greece and Macedonia 2016 Jazz Combos | Gustavus Adolphus College 2014-2016 Handbells | Gustavus Adolphus College 2012-2016 Semester Abroad: Social Justice, Peace and Development | Bangalore, India Fall 2014