The Director

Emily Hornbake received her B.M. in Viola Performance from UNC School of the Arts and her M.S. in Music Education from Indiana University. She also attended New York University and studied in Prague, CZ. Ms. Hornbake's primary viola teachers include Sheila Browne and Dr. Brenda Brenner.

Prior to working in Round Rock ISD, her teaching experience includes four years in Katy ISD, where her students regularly found success at UIL Contest and Sight Reading, Solo and Ensemble, and other festivals. She also worked with the prestigious Indiana University String Academy and the Fairview String Project while attending graduate school.

Ms. Hornbake is a proud member of the Texas Music Educator's Association (TMEA) and the Texas Orchestra Director's Association (TODA). In 2022, she was honored to receive the TODA Young Educator of the Year Award.

Ms. Hornbake has had the opportunity to travel to Alaska, Europe, Michigan, and Idaho as both a performer and a teacher. She has performed with diverse ensembles, including orchestra, chamber music, opera, ballet, and recordings for film scores, pop music, and video game soundtracks.

Emily and her husband recently relocated to the Austin area and enjoy hiking, travelling, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. They welcomed their first child, Lillian, in December 2019.