Emily Cook, a native of rural western Illinois, is a dynamic performer and educator based in Bloomington, IN. She currently serves as principal clarinetist of the Evansville Philharmonic and Carmel Symphony Orchestra, bass clarinetist of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and as third clarinetist of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra; formerly, she held positions with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond (VA) Symphony Orchestra. In recent seasons, she has appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Emily is dedicated to performing new music and serves as the clarinetist and artistic director of Kamratōn, which has premiered over 50 works for mixed chamber ensemble, including several of her own compositions. Emily has also appeared with jazz/fusion group the Afro-Yaqui Music Collective and as an improviser with the duo Cook/Ma.

Emily received an artist diploma and a master’s degree from Duquesne University, where she studied with Ron Samuels of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Emily studied with David Bell at Lawrence University, graduating with degrees in K-12 music education and clarinet performance. Her other teachers included Jack Howell, Larry McDonald, Eric Ginsberg, and Louis Margaglione. She has presented research blending music theory and performance studies on the work of Kaija Saariaho at the CUNY Graduate Center and at SUNY-Buffalo.

Emily is a committed educator and has taught in settings ranging from university clarinet studios to a rural middle-school band program. Outside of her work in music, Emily has a strong background in development and community outreach in the arts and social service sectors. In her free time, she enjoys birding, gardening, and exploring Indiana's beautiful public land.