Deidre Vaughn Emerson first started playing cello at the age of five. She received her Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance magna cum laude at Birmingham Southern College, and her Masters in Cello Performance at University of Houston in the studio of Vagram Saradjian. She has had the opportunity to study and perform at a number of music festivals throughout the United States and Europe.
Deidre has had many opportunities and continues to perform and teach in multiple genres including sacred, religious, symphonic, chamber, modern, country, fiddle, opera, theater, ballet, musicals, soundtracks, and popular music just to name a few. She has led many master classes and clinics as a cellist and conductor for all ages and levels. Mrs. Emerson has been adjudicator for a number of orchestral festivals. She has taught university classes in Orchestra, Applied Cello, Cello Ensemble, String Ensemble, Theory, Ear Training, Aural Skills, and Sight Singing. She has been honored as guest artist and guest lecturer for a number of colleges, universities, and professional musicians’ organizations.
Currently she resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Matt and their two small children, Archer and Astrid. Here she teaches at a number of schools and studios and also maintains her own private teaching studio. She also does recording and performance work in this city’s vibrant industry, and is involved in many full time ensembles. She is currently the Professor of Cello at Tennessee State University and Nashville State Community College.