Composer, singer, and performance artist Emily Lau (b. 1984) fuses elements of ancient music with contemporary techniques to tell unique aural and visual stories. Through the process of music-making and sharing, she fosters social and personal conversations that inspire compassion and actions, especially in the realms of homelessness, LGBTQ rights, gender issues, and prison reform.
Critics have described her compositions as "haunting" and "emotional" (BBC Radio), her singing as "striking" (Cleveland Classical), and the shows she has produced as "magical" and "imaginative" (BMI). As singer and director, she has toured domestically and internationally with various ensembles. Since 2011, her compositions have been heard on network TV shows, NPR, and concert series of GRAMMY-winning ensembles such as Conspirare and True Concord.
Emily is the founding artistic director of early music ensemble The Broken Consort, co-founder of Disobedient Femmes, and a board member of Early Music America. In Portland, she tours and records with Cappella Romana and directs chamber ensembles at Big Mouth Society. She holds an M.Mus. in Early Music Performance from Longy School of Music of Bard College.
The world premiere for Emily’s new work
SPEAK | LISTEN: Ain’t I a woman?
is in the works for Spring 2023. Details coming soon.