Born and raised in Victoria, Emma Reader-Lee works as a strings educator and performer throughout Greater Victoria and has been playing the violin for 22 years. She holds a Masters’ degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelors’ degree from the University of Ottawa, both in violin performance, and is a graduate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Senior Collegium Program. In addition to being on the VCM violin faculty, she works as a strings teacher for the Sooke Harmony Project and has a particular passion for orchestral playing. Emma regularly performs as a substitute musician in the Victoria Symphony, and was a member of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada from 2022-2024. She also participated in the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Mentorship Program in 2024 and 2025.
Emma’s approach to music education includes an emphasis on both learning by ear and reading music, sharing her personal experiences as a performing violinist, and teaching students the skills and strategies to be able to teach themselves and solve musical and technical problems in the practice room between lessons. She loves sharing the joy of music with young musicians through teaching, encouraging students to challenge themselves and supporting them along the way.