Staff Bios
Emily Vu
Saxophone, Flute, Piano
Biography
My professional journey started back in high school when I attended the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts. While I was there, I had the opportunity to travel and perform abroad, playing at major events like the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York, where I earned multiple soloist awards. I was consistently recognized at various festivals, receiving back-to-back awards and competing in the heavy division for big band.
I continued my studies in jazz and music education at California State University, and recently transferred to Cal State University Northridge. I’ve been playing saxophone for 8 years, and I also have experience on clarinet and flute. I started learning piano as a kid, which helped shape my overall musicianship early on.
Over the years, I’ve played at a wide range of festivals and events, with some of the most notable being my performances at Essentially Ellington 2024. Outside of school and live performance, I’ve worked on self-promotion through social platforms, and I’ve been involved in recording sessions and gigging in L.A. I’ve also developed connections with music directors in the industry, continuing to grow my network and my sound.
Hometown: Santa Ana
Musical Background: I have experience performing jazz and classical music on saxophone, flute, and clarinet. I have toured and performed extensively in a variety of ensembles, including wind ensemble and jazz big band. I also have previous teaching experience working with students of different skill levels.
School: Cal State Uni Long Beach, Cal State Uni Northridge
Hobbies: My hobbies include drawing, listening to music, cooking, and exercising.