Obituary: Emma Kerr
Guildhall School is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of alumna Emma Kerr. Emma studied from 2007 to 2015 in the Vocal and Opera Departments, graduating with distinction in 2015.
Born in Edinburgh, Emma studied English and French at Edinburgh University. However, Emma always wanted to be a singer, and deferred her place to audition for Guildhall School.
After graduating, Emma was chosen as a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist in 2015-2017. She was a Jerwood Young Artist with Glyndebourne, and a Samling Artist in 2016. In 2017, Emma was awarded the Audience Prize in the Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award.
Emma was a member of the British Youth Opera, and regularly sang at Glyndebourne and for Glyndebourne Tour. She made her debut with English National Opera, before returning to Scottish Opera for multiple productions, as well as appearances at the Barbican.
“Those staff who worked with Emma will recall not only her wonderful talent as a singer, but also her personal warmth and the down-to-earth Scottish good humour that made her such a special, popular presence here over many years,” said Armin Zanner, Interim Director of Music & Head of Vocal Studies at Guildhall School, and Dominic Wheeler, Head of Opera at Guildhall School.
“On our opera stage, Emma’s performances of Prue in The Dancing Master and Cristina in I pazzi per progetto stay in our memory. We also recall her powerful contributions to the Barbican Hall performance of L’enfant et les sortilèges, where she took on multiple mezzo roles.”
If any Guildhall School alumni, staff and friends wish to send in your memories and condolence messages for Emma’s friends and family, please email alumni@gsmd.ac.uk with your message.
Pictured: Emma Kerr at the 10th anniversary Jerwood Young Artists concert, 2020 (Photo: James Bellorini)