Bio

Described as “sweeping and cinematic”, Emma Corrao’s music inspires imagination with every performance. Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Corrao moved to the Shenandoah Valley to pursue a Bachelor of Music at James Madison University, where she studied under Dr. Jason Haney and Dr. Eric Guinivan. While pursuing her degree, Corrao collaborated with and wrote works for JMU’s Symphony Orchestra, Spring String Thing, Club Orchestra, and Opera Guild. 

As a composer, Corrao writes for a variety of ensembles and genres, and has had performances in the United States and Austria. Her piece Soaring Shadows for youth orchestra was winner of the Spring String Thing’s 2nd Annual Call for Scores and was selected for publication by TUX People’s Music. Whippoorwill Winter, the fifth movement in her suite titled Five Little Winters, was selected for recording by flutist Eliza Shephard, founder of March of the Women. Additionally, Corrao’s work has been presented at VMEA’s Professional Development Conference, and at writing workshops coordinated by JMU’s ACDA chapter.

Corrao currently works as the services coordinator of JMU’s Music Library, while freelancing as a music copyist for students and faculty members.