Emily Montoya is a professional cellist originally from Northern Wisconsin. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, where she maintains a full studio and serves as Adjunct Professor of Music at Austin Community College, where she founded the Austin Community College Cello Choir. Emily is self-taught on the cello beginning at the age of 14, after initially learning viola in a public school orchestra setting.

With diligent practice she won her first position in a professional orchestra as a cellist at the age of 18, as part of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Emily holds two degrees in Music and English from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. In 2021 she received her Master’s Degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy from Texas State University, where she was on scholarship in the Graduate String Quartet, and served as Principal Cellist of the Texas State Symphony Orchestra, all while successfully building her teaching studio in Austin. Some of her proudest accolades awarded have included “Outstanding Freshman” at UWSP, “Outstanding Graduate Student” at Texas State, and “Teacher of the Year” at Lone Star School of Music. Emily holds certifications in the Suzuki Method under Tanya L. Carey.

Her students are high-achieving, kind individuals, some of whom are now pursuing advanced degrees in music around the U.S. She prides herself on doing her best for every student that she meets, and believes every student has equal value.

Aside from teaching, Emily performs with high-level groups around Austin, and has performed with mainstream artists and events such as the Central Texas Philharmonic, Kygo, Sienna String Quartet, and Blast TV. She is available to book as a performing artist.